Now Yahoo To Block Trillian And Other Third Party IM Apps

(Mis)Uses of Technology

from the you're-going-the-wrong-way... dept

Well here’s a trend that’s not particularly encouraging. Last month we wrote about how Microsoft was getting ready to block third party IM apps from connecting to their service. Instead of using that as an opportunity to trumpet the fact that they were “open”, Yahoo is going in the wrong direction and planning to block off third party IM apps themselves. This is why I kept saying that third party apps like Trillian are not the answer to interoperability for instant messaging. Trillian only worked via the good graces of the big three IM offerings – and now that’s going away. By now, the various companies offering the instant messaging (AOL, Microsoft and Yahoo) should know that there’s value in expanding their network and opening up the IM platform (someone should show them how email works). However, they still don’t get it, and seem stuck on this walled garden idea – which actively lessens the value of their network. Walled gardens don’t benefit the users. They don’t benefit the IM companies because they make their network less valuable and create less incentive to join. So, why is it being done? The companies claim it’s for “security’ – but the reality is that they think that in blocking off users, they’ll be able to sell more ads and premium services. However, by actively decreasing the value of their current offerings, it means plenty of people will be even less likely to participate.