It has been a long run. I first started using Hotmail in 1994. It was the first free web based email of any merit. It ran great on my 2400 kbps dial up modem. Then Microsoft took it over. Ever since then it has been a downhill experience. I recently learned that any e-mail done on the MSN network is considered by Microsoft to be their property. This includes any e-mail you send or receive and your contact list. So the big MS has determined that the information you collect is theirs even if you do not pay for it. I am already looking at extra advertising is it right for them to use my account for data mining? I DON'T THINK SO!!
Now I cannot get rid of the e-mail address because there are a few friends out there that only contact me through that address, but I am removing all of my contacts from MSN and moving them to my Gmail account. Both Gmail and Yahoo have made the right decision in considering user information private. It belongs to us not them. It is time to send a clear message to MSN. If you are a hotmail user I hope you will join me in moving away from hotmail and to one of the other free email services. It has been a great 14 years but MSN had to ruin my favorite online e-mail client.
2 Responses to “Firing Hotmail and MSN” Leave a reply ›
Can you link to something that shows that MSN is doing this and that Yahoo and Gmail aren't? Not that I don't trust you, but I'd kind of like proof before getting rid of Hotmail completely (I use it as my "junk mail" address!). Thanks
The write up was in fortune magazine. I would tell you which issue but I honestly do not remember. If I find it I will post it here in the comments. Also, to clarify, I am not giving up hotmail myself and will be doing what you are doing, using it as a junk mail address. What I am advocating is taking any contact info for other people out and not using the service to send any email.