Video chat rooms hit anonymity of Internet
Live, video chat rooms are starting to make noise in cyberspace, challenging the silent, faceless anonymity that marks much of Internet communication. Thousands of people are flocking to the interactive chat rooms that let participants see each other on their computer screens and talk live to each other in real time.Joe Naughton, spokesperson for the Cu-SeeMe Company, said response has been incredible to its U.S.-based Web site, billed as the first with built-in video chat rooms, even...
Government wants to keep eye on Internet chat rooms
A computer science professor hopes to help survey the public forums for terrorist activity TROY, N.Y. -- Amid the torrent of jabber in Internet chat rooms -- flirting by QTpie and BoogieBoy, arguments about politics and horror flicks -- are terrorists plotting their next move?The government certainly isn't discounting the possibility. It is taking the idea seriously enough to fund a yearlong study on chat room surveillance under an antiterrorism program.A Rensselaer...
Lawsuit filed to protect Muslims from hate speech in AOL chat rooms
A federal lawsuit filed has been filed against AOL Time Warner asserting that America Online has allowed hate speech to go unsanctioned in chat rooms for Muslims, in violation of federal civil rights laws. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Alexandria Thursday seeks class-action status and asks for an injunction requiring AOL to enforce its rules that prevent members from sending messages that offend community standards. The complaint cites the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which...
AOL Plans New Ad-dition to Chat Rooms
America Online Inc. said Tuesday it planned to place advertising in company-sponsored discussion areas, or chat rooms, as part of the world's largest online service's bid to expand its revenue base beyond mainly subscriber fees.The Dulles, Va.-based company said placing ads in the chat rooms would generate 360 million ad "impressions" every month, a program one analyst estimated could generate $15 million to $25 million in new revenue in...