Microsoft unblocks YouTube links via MSN

Microsoft has temporarily restricted the sending of links to Youtube via MSN Messenger or Windows Live Messenger. Possibly shocked by the criticism, the company has now reversed the measure.

On Saturday morning, MSN users began to notice that links to YouTube could no longer be sent. When someone tried to send a message with a Youtube link in it, he was told that the message could not be delivered. Users who did further research into this phenomenon quickly realized that it was because the Microsoft servers rejected the message.

MSN’s servers are known to refuse to send links that are often used by phishers, but Youtube is by no means a phishing site. Since Microsoft had not announced the measure, users had to guess the reason for it. On various internet forums, accepted that it had to do with the launch of Messenger Tv, which allows video clips from MSN Video to be shared via Messenger.

The criticism was not unfounded and most users regarded the measure as outright censorship. Whether it was because of the negative reactions is not known, but the blockade was lifted within a day. Youtube links can now be sent via MSN again. Microsoft has not yet commented on the affair.