Windows blocks IMs with links to The Pirate Bay

I suppose this counts as a new kind of copy protection. Or is it malware protection? According to The Register, Microsoft has confirmed that it now blocks Windows Live Messenger users from sending each other links to The Pirate Bay, the illustrious BitTorrent site that continues to evade shutdown. Here's what Microsoft told The Register when asked to comment:

We block instant messages if they contain malicious or spam URLs based on intelligence algorithms, third-party sources, and/or user complaints. Pirate Bay URLs were flagged by one or more of these and were consequently blocked.

The site pointed out that, you know, other sites also link malware and aren't necessarily blocked, but the company reportedly didn't elaborate. Damning Microsoft further, The Register claims none of the security vendors it's spoken to say The Pirate Bay is "any worse" than other BitTorrent trackers when it comes to malware. The Pirate Bay is likely the largest of the bunch, though.
It's possible that Microsoft is telling the truth and TPB is just a victim of the company's automated flagging system. Then again, maybe that isn't the case. I don't go around linking pirate sites myself, but I'd hate to see instant messaging services become the arbiter of what is and isn't okay to link around the web—especially if organizations like the MPAA and RIAA are the ones drawing up the list.

Thank You : Source : /techreport.com/