Microsoft ties-up with five social networks

New Delhi

Microsoft Corporation has announced collaborations with five most popular
social networks, Facebook, Bebo, Hi5, LinkedIn and Tagged, to allow movement of
contacts data across the web.

This collaboration includes an exchange of Application Programming Interface
(API) that will create a two-way street allowing people to move their contacts
and relationships between Windows Live services and social networks more safely
and securely.

"We have created Windows Live Contacts API to help users access and
share their data and contacts across the web in a safer and more secure manner.
With this, we are providing an alternative to "screen-scraping" that
is equally open, but safer and more secure," said Samir Saraiya - product
head, Windows Live Services, Microsoft India.

Microsoft has introduced new website, www.invite2messenger.net,
where people can invite their contacts from any of these five social networks to
join them on Windows Live Messenger.

Facebook, Bebo, Hi5, LinkedIn, and Tagged will adopt the Windows Live
Contacts API. This service is available for Facebook and Bebo users immediately.
Windows Live Contacts API will be available on Hi5, Tagged, and LinkedIn sites
in the coming months.