NoSlak

Quote: America Online, Inc. has quietly updated the terms of service for its AIM instant messaging application, making several changes that is sure to raise the hackles of Internet privacy advocates.

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America Online, Inc. has quietly updated the terms of service for its AIM instant messaging application, making several changes that is sure to raise the hackles of Internet privacy advocates.

The revamped terms of service, which apply only to users who downloaded the free AIM software on or after Feb. 5, 2004, gives AOL the right to "reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote" all content distributed across the chat network by users.

"You waive any right to privacy. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the content or to be compensated for any such uses," according to the AIM terms-of-service.

Although the user will retain ownership of the content passed through the AIM network, the terms give AOL ownership of "all right, title and interest in any compilation, collective work or other derivative work created by AOL using or incorporating this [user] content.

eWEEK.com Special Report: Privacy

"In addition, by posting content on an AIM Product, you grant AOL, its parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, agents and licensees the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote this content in any medium," it added.

The changes could have serious ramifications for AOL's AIM@Work service which is being marketed to businesses. AIM@Work offers things like Identity Services to allow the use of corporate e-mail address as AOL screen names. It also offers premium services like voice conferencing and Web meetings.

At the time of this reporting, it is not clear if the same terms of service apply to businesses who pay for the AIM@Work features. America Online executives were not available to discuss the terms of service changes.

PointerClick here to read the article: "AOL Takes AIM at Outlook"

On Weblogs and discussion forums, the discovery of the updated AIM terms of service has led to intense discussions.

"They're encouraging businesses to use AIM to discuss details of their business correspondence, even to sync their Outlook contact and calendar files, which, according to their TOS, AOL then has the right to publish in any way they see fit, including, among other things, providing that information to business competitors. I'd be pretty damn leery of using AIM@Work for any kind of business," said Ben Stanfield, executive editor and founder of MacSlash, Inc.

Article is HERE

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flounder405

AOL might have just made the final cut on their throat.

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BigAkita

That is completely amazing. I wonder what business plan they are following...suicide?

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Spectrum

Utter crap, I'm no longer using AIM to talk about private things or transactions/trades.

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droeblek9

I sincerely don't understand how they stay in business. They already have a horrible customer service reputation (to the tune of continuing to charge people after they've cancelled service), and now this. It's just sad.

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SexyPants

You know, the sad thing is that my family still uses it. We've been using another ISP for broadband for years now, but my parents just can't make the jump from their @aol.com e-mail

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nev_payne

Would this hinder what you type on AIM for use in federal circumstances? Example, I confess to a someone I nicked a car, bribed someone, holding someone hostage (not that I have you understand). Could they use this and report it to local police? Where did the private conversation go?

I see lawsuits pending...in droves...maybe Apple will sue aswell

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godfoot

Quote: Originally Posted by nev_payne Would this hinder what you type on AIM for use in federal circumstances? Example, I confess to a someone I nicked a car, bribed someone, holding someone hostage (not that I have you understand). Could they use this and report it to local police?

If they happened across your particular conversation for some reason then yes they could if they chose to.

Quote: Originally Posted by nev_payne Where did the private conversation go?

Supposedly only suspect "transmissions" are to be monitored, but this would be in part by Project Echelon.

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Foe

There has been an update to this original story that was posted a day or two after the original.

Quote: Updated: America Online quells public criticism of changes to its AIM terms of service, insisting the controversial privacy clause does not pertain to user-to-user instant messaging communication.

To read the rest:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1775743,00.asp

nev_payne

Lol i bet they've had it up the rear end the last few days...Why dont thay just leave it the way it is? All be it really carp anyway.

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