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MSN Chat was theMicrosoft Network version ofIRCX (Internet Relay Chat extensions byMicrosoft), which replacedMicrosoft Chat, a set of Exchange-based IRCX servers first available in the MicrosoftComic Chat client, although Comic Chat was not required to connect.[citation needed]
According to the MSN Chat website, the following were required to use the MSN Chat Service:
The Microsoft Network Chat Control was developed as anActiveXComponent Object Model (COM) Object. ActiveX, being aMicrosoft technology provided limited compatibility for other products. The other major platforms besideInternet Explorer that MSN Chat was supported on, wasNetscape Navigator andMSNTV (formerly known asWebTV). To ensure the MSN Chat network was only being connected to by authorized clients,Microsoft created and implemented aSASL basedSecurity Service Provider authentication package known as GateKeeper. This used a randomized session key to authorize users not using theMicrosoft Passport (now Microsoft account) system. Microsoft used anotherSSP known as GateKeeperPassport, that worked from the same method but required certain attributes related to the user's account.
The legality of sites offering the MSN Chat Control has been in question for some time due to many "Clone Sites" hosting the Chat Control.The Chat Control download is publicly available by Microsoft to download at[1].
A significant reason for MSN Chat shutting down was that it provided another opportunity for pedophiles and other sex-offenders to have access to youth through the chat rooms.[1]
In 2001, Microsoft closed access via IRC clients (including Comic Chat), asking users to exclusively use their browser client instead. In 2003, Microsoft announced that it would close "unregulated" MSN Chat rooms in 28 countries, including "most of Asia" due to problems with spam and concerns about child sexual abuse material, with plans to convert to a subscription model for "better accountability."[2][3] Messenger chat services remained open.[4] MSN Chat became a subscription service for $20/year.[5]
On August 31, 2006 Microsoft announced that MSN Chat would no longer be provided. On October 16, 2006 MSN Chat shut down their servers[6] at about 11:30 a.m. EST. The service closed as allegedly MSN no longer deemed it profitable to run as a subscription service.
MSN software and services | |
|---|---|
| Current services | |
| Rebranded | |
| Divested by Microsoft | |
| Discontinued | |
