MSN Chat#GateKeeper

According to the MSN Chat website, the following were required to use the MSN Chat Service:

• Windows 95 or later
• Internet Explorer 4.0 or later OR;
• Netscape Navigator 4.x

The Microsoft Network Chat Control was developed as an ActiveX Component Object Model (COM) Object. ActiveX, being a Microsoft technology provided limited compatibility for other products. The other major platforms beside Internet Explorer that MSN Chat was supported on, was Netscape Navigator and MSNTV (formerly known as WebTV). To ensure the MSN Chat network was only being connected to by authorized clients, Microsoft created and implemented a SASL based Security Service Provider authentication package known as GateKeeper{{Broken anchor|date=2025-06-18|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=MSN Chat#GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport|reason= The anchor (GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport) has been deleted.|diff_id=902704115}}. This used a randomized session key to authorize users not using the Microsoft Passport (now Microsoft account) system. Microsoft used another SSP known as GateKeeperPassport{{Broken anchor|date=2025-06-18|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=MSN Chat#GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport|reason= The anchor (GateKeeper and GateKeeperPassport) has been deleted.|diff_id=902704115}}, 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 [https://web.archive.org/web/20070721212333/http://fdl.msn.com/public/chat/msnchat45.cab].

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.{{cite news|last=Whittingham|first=Matt|title=MSN shuts down its chatrooms|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3133192.stm|work=MSN UK|publisher=BBC|access-date=29 April 2011|date=24 September 2003}}

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."Gray, Patrick (September 24, 2003). [http://www.zdnetasia.com/msn-to-close-chat-rooms-around-world-39152322.htm "MSN to close chat rooms around world"]. ZDNet Australia.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/3133964.stm "MSN chatroom closures: Your views"]. BBC.co.uk. September 29, 2003. Messenger chat services remained open.Hartley, Sarah (October 14, 2003). [http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/70/70039_chatting_after_msn.html "Chatting after MSN" ]. Manchester Evening News. MSN Chat became a subscription service for $20/year.{{cite book| title=The Internet: The Missing Manual|first1= David |last1=Pogue|first2= J. D. |last2=Biersdorfer|page=308|publisher=O'Reilly Media, Inc. |year=2006|isbn= 9780596553241 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dJomGlPLjF0C&pg=PA308}}

On August 31, 2006 Microsoft announced that MSN Chat would no longer be provided. On October 16, 2006 MSN Chat shut down their servers{{cite web |title= IMPORTANT NOTICE |work=MSN Groups| publisher=Microsoft |url=http://groups.msn.com/Editorial/en-gb/Content/chat.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009052049/http://groups.msn.com/Editorial/en-gb/Content/chat.htm |archive-date=2006-10-09 }} 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 Messenger/Windows Live Messenger, another messaging service owned by Microsoft.
• Skype, a messaging service bought by Microsoft.

{{reflist}}

• [http://koach.com/msntools/ MSN Chat Administration Tools]
• [https://www.wintersnet.net/history.php History of MSN Chat]
• [https://bloggingmsnchat.blogspot.com/ Blogging MSN chat]

{{MSN services}}

{{IRC topics}}

Category:MSN

Category:IRC

Category:Online chat