What is the problem with eGroups?

Yahoo's changeover runs over a few bumps

By Lucy Sherriff • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 29th January 2001 17:19 GMT

Increase your knowledge of the latest threats to your busines

What is going on with eGroups? The US email conferencing system switched over from eGroups to Yahoo over the weekend, and it doesn't seem to have gone smoothly.

Yahoo says it is trying to assess user reaction to the switch. Allow us to help: There are a lot of annoyed eGroupers out there.

A loyal Register reader let us know that the switch was made with no consultation, no warning and no choice.

In order to access an eGroup, our source tells us, a member of the group must now register for a Yahoo user ID, and sign up to Yahoo's terms and conditions.

"We have a situation where people are unable to access their own groups without registering with Yahoo," she told us. "We can't even move out groups without giving Yahoo our details, something I am not keen to do."

Our source is concerned that Yahoo will own copyright on the content of the discussion. The privacy policy is also causing some concern.

"The terms and conditions are unacceptable," our source told us. "I run a group where people post code. Why would anyone want to give away the copyright on their own code?"

We called Yahoo in the UK but it is apparently only a US switch, so far. The UK people are talking to the US people later today.

A spokeswoman told El Reg "I will put this on the agenda for discussion."

Yahoo, we wait with bated breath. ®