14/10/2003
Microsoft closes MSN chat room service
Microsoft has closed its MSN Chat service in response to fears that it could be used by paedophiles to groom potential victims and spread spam mail.
The company said that the increase in abuse of the Internet, such as the "massive growth of spam and the increase in unsolicited and inappropriate material, particularly with regards to children", had led it to make this decision.
The decision was initially announced three weeks ago "as part of an overall effort by MSN and Microsoft to provide consumers with a safer, more secure and positive overall online experience".
The company said the decision was intended to help protect MSN users from unsolicited information such as spam and to better protect children from inappropriate communication online.
"We will ensure you get the best and safest customer experience during those last weeks where free unmoderated chat will still be available," a company statement said.
One internet services provider, Lycos, slammed the move saying that children who want to continue to use such services will turn to unregulated, and inevitably more dangerous, chatrooms provided elsewhere.
Children's charities have, however, broadly welcomed the decision.
(gmcg/mb)
The company said that the increase in abuse of the Internet, such as the "massive growth of spam and the increase in unsolicited and inappropriate material, particularly with regards to children", had led it to make this decision.
The decision was initially announced three weeks ago "as part of an overall effort by MSN and Microsoft to provide consumers with a safer, more secure and positive overall online experience".
The company said the decision was intended to help protect MSN users from unsolicited information such as spam and to better protect children from inappropriate communication online.
"We will ensure you get the best and safest customer experience during those last weeks where free unmoderated chat will still be available," a company statement said.
One internet services provider, Lycos, slammed the move saying that children who want to continue to use such services will turn to unregulated, and inevitably more dangerous, chatrooms provided elsewhere.
Children's charities have, however, broadly welcomed the decision.
(gmcg/mb)
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24 September 2003
Microsoft closes its online MSN Chat service
Microsoft is set to close its MSN Chat service in response to fears that it could be used by paedophiles to groom potential victims and spread spam mail.
Microsoft closes its online MSN Chat service
Microsoft is set to close its MSN Chat service in response to fears that it could be used by paedophiles to groom potential victims and spread spam mail.
14 November 2013
Birmingham Children Service Could Be Handed Off If Improvements Not Made
Ofsted inspectors have warned that should the standard of children services in Birmingham not improve, the service will be handed over to the Department for Education. It is understood that Ofsted will inspect the services again later this month and if improvements are not made the department will take over before Christmas.
Birmingham Children Service Could Be Handed Off If Improvements Not Made
Ofsted inspectors have warned that should the standard of children services in Birmingham not improve, the service will be handed over to the Department for Education. It is understood that Ofsted will inspect the services again later this month and if improvements are not made the department will take over before Christmas.
22 April 2015
Ambulance Service Urge People To Use Service Appropriately
The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) has received more than 1,200 hoax calls over the last two years, with front-line crews dispatched to almost half believing them to be genuine emergencies.
Ambulance Service Urge People To Use Service Appropriately
The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) has received more than 1,200 hoax calls over the last two years, with front-line crews dispatched to almost half believing them to be genuine emergencies.
21 February 2013
Report Claims Private Companies Better At Running Prisons
Reform, a centre-right think tank, has said that private companies are better than the public sector at running the UK's prisons. 10 out of 12 privately-run prisons had lower reoffending rates among those serving 12 months or more than comparable public jails, according to the report.
Report Claims Private Companies Better At Running Prisons
Reform, a centre-right think tank, has said that private companies are better than the public sector at running the UK's prisons. 10 out of 12 privately-run prisons had lower reoffending rates among those serving 12 months or more than comparable public jails, according to the report.
15 October 2010
Extending Patient Choice 'Challenging'
Government plans to introduce wider choice and shared decision making within the NHS may be challenging to implement, says an expert on bmj.com today.
Extending Patient Choice 'Challenging'
Government plans to introduce wider choice and shared decision making within the NHS may be challenging to implement, says an expert on bmj.com today.
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