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There's been changes to the AIM policy, read on if you like:

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.



"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

Source: eweek.com via google news.

1984?

Pretty much. These companies always use the excuse that it's their network, their right...bunch of BS.

Instead of only thinking about the big brother aspect, think about the criminal aspect.

Guy meets girl over aim
girl likes guy
guy and girl meet IRL
guy rapes and kills girl
noone knows who does it
police investigate aim convos
track guy down

It sounds more like copyright enfringement and intellectual property theft than law enforcement oriented. But they're going to do whatever they please by the sound of it. AOL has always sucked, but AIM was their one redeeming quality.
Dear Leader knows best at AOL.

THAWA wrote:Instead of only thinking about the big brother aspect, think about the criminal aspect.

Guy meets girl over aim
girl likes guy
guy and girl meet IRL
guy rapes and kills girl
noone knows who does it
police investigate aim convos
track guy down

I see your point but I don't personally think that solving a murder here and there is worth setting yet another freedom squelching precedent. Anyway, I haven't seen any cases where AIM has been instrumental in catching a killer. They have probably had some success posing as young girls but how can you imitate a potential murder victim. It won't stop killing, that's for sure. Besides, they can already investigate the AIM conversations with a bench warrant. I think this is more aimed at commercial interests.

If there is something you are worried about AOL pulling from an AIM conversation you should be smarter about talking about that stuff over AIM. There are plenty of alternatives to AIM and I'd say that though it's shady, it's within AOL's rights.

I was just jaw jacking. I really don't care what they do since I don't use the service. My peeve is that these things always get spoiled by commercialism. I get sick of sorting through all the adds and junk while I'm trying to go to sites. I understand that they provide revenue but it's just getting so extreme anymore. Everything is sponsored by some company. Pretty soon it will be "Your life, brough to you by Time\Warner..some restrictions apply." I hardly have time to do anything these days let alone yak on AIM.