In an effort to encourage more cross-platform intercommunication and support third party developers to innovate using readily available standards for the internet (NOT), Microsoft has decided to restrict non-Microsoft software from being able to use its Messenger service, as reported on Infoworld. Sean Sundwall, a Microsoft spokesman said; "We are very interested in interoperating with all third parties, there just needs to be a formal agreement". What this does mean is that on October 15, Instant Messenger solutions on the Symbian platform (and third party solutions on other PC platforms such as Jabber) will cease to work; ""It is our expectation that those who use our service with unlicensed or unauthorized third-party clients will likely not be able to log on after Oct. 15".

Regarding third party developers; "[i]We would encourage those third parties to contact us to work out agreements by which they can continue to have their customers access our network[i]".

Sure, it's Microsoft's software so they can do what they like with it, but what are the chances that this is actually to promote internet security and not to screw third parties?