Microsoft blocking Messenger in Cuba?

[Gambitt]

CUBA: Government blasts Microsoft for blocking Messenger chat program

HAVANA (AP) _ Cuba criticized Microsoft on Friday for blocking its Messenger instant messaging service on the island and in other countries under U.S. sanctions, calling it yet another example of Washington's "harsh" treatment of Havana.

The technology giant recently announced it was disabling the program's availability in Cuba, Syria, Iran, Sudan and North Korea to come into compliance with a U.S. ban on transfer of licensed software to embargoed countries.

The move "is just the latest turn of the screw in the United States' technological blockade against the island," a technology writer said in an article published by state youth newspaper Juventud Rebelde.

He called the ban on transfer of technology "a truly harsh violation" of Cuba's rights.

Messenger has been used on the island for a decade without Microsoft interference, and it was not clear why the Redmond, Wash.-based company is acting now.

"Microsoft is one of several major Internet companies that have taken steps aimed at meeting their obligations to not do business with markets on the U.S. sanctions list," said Dharmesh Mehta, director of Windows Live Product Management at the company.

Mehta said Microsoft made the change late last year but that it "has only recently received attention."

Internet communications service Skype currently works in Cuba, but the government evidently has periodically blocked other similar services in the past _ sometimes including Messenger.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/etn/news_content.php?id=962967&lang=eng_news

I wonder if this effects Resorts too?  Lots of people use MSN to stay in contact with people at home.

[Gambitt]

Another Article:

Microsoft Blocks Instant Messenger in Cuba
HAVANA, Cuba, May 29 (acn) Microsoft's decision to cut its online instant messenger service to Cuba, among other countries, was denounced in an article published Friday in the Juventud Rebelde newspaper.
   

Cuban News Agency

   

Cuban News Agency

The article, entitled "Cuba ¿la red cercada? (Cuba, the besieged internet?), reports that according to a communiqué issued by the giant software company, MSN Messenger Services have been suspended to Cuba and other "enemy" countries of the US, including Iran, North Korea, Syria and Sudan in accordance with US legislation.

The article points out that Microsoft's measures have caused widespread international controversy and that the move is not consistent with the company's advertising campaign launched 10 years ago. The campaign boasted that MSN Messenger would foster exchange between people without regards to race, beliefs, political ideals or any other discriminatory factors.

Not even the corporation's spokespersons have been able to give a convincing answer as to why the measure was taken now. "Is this a tenth anniversary present the company saved for itself, or is it another way to further tighten the siege against Cuba promoted by the most reactionary sectors of US politics and the economy," the article asks.

And Microsoft is not the only company that denies the use of advanced technology in Cuba.


In an open violation of international law, since the 1960s the US has prevented all major world computer manufacturers like Intel, Hewlett Packard, IBM or Macintosh from directly selling their products to Cuba -not even for humanitarian purposes like healthcare.

As an example the article notes that in 2003 the US Trade Department refused to grant a license for USA/Cuba-Infomed to send 423 computers to be used in Cuban hospitals and policlinics on the grounds that "it would harm US foreign policy interests."

[Jammyisme]

read the latest blog post I have on this .