However, rather than disbanding the groups, the company will migrate them to third-party site WorldGroups.com, which reportedly has agreed to host the adult-related communities.
BetaNews reported that it has obtained a draft copy of the company’s yet-to-be-released press announcement containing details about the decision.
According to the secret press announcement, users will have until Oct. 19 to create new groups or change their classifications to or from the “adult” and “mature” categories. Content on these groups is then scheduled to be “locked down” on Nov. 2, pending transfer to WorldGroups on Nov. 28.
After that, users will be prohibited from posting or uploading any content deemed pornographic or obscene.
A representative from MSN declined comment when contacted by XBiz.
According to BetaNews, the press announcement says, "MSN services are used by a broad audience and we need to ensure that content is appropriate for all viewers. To meet these needs, MSN prohibits content and language that is sexually explicit from many MSN sites. We are also unable to provide access to additional adult content and services desired by many of our users."
BetaNews added that WorldGroups plans to offer users several features currently not offered by MSN, including unlimited storage as well as streaming video capabilities, privacy controls and opportunities to use the groups to generate revenue.
Users will have the option of creating and listing communities in two categories. The first, Adult WorldGroups, will allow users to post mature content. The other, Unfiltered, will allow adult content and unrestricted chat.
MSN's move would come on the heels of a decision by Yahoo in June to close down chat rooms after a Houston TV station exposed illegal activities, including sexual predators targeting children. Several mainstream companies pulled their advertising from Yahoo in the wake of the report and negative publicity surrounding it.