Mxit
| MXit | |
| Developer(s) |  MXit Lifestyle |
|---|---|
| Stable release | |
| Type | Instant Messenger |
| License | Freeware |
| Website | MXit.co.za |
MXit is a mobile instant messenging application developed in South Africa that runs on GPRS/3G mobile phones with java support. It allows the user to send and receive text messages to and from PCs that are connected to the Internet and other phones running MXit. These messages are sent and received via the mobile Internet, rather than with standard SMS technology. The user can also exchange messages with online chat communities like MSN Messenger, ICQ, and Jabber. Messages are limited to 2 000 characters. Because messages are billed by the amount of data sent, they are much cheaper to send than traditional SMS messages.
MXit claims to have a registered userbase of two million and about five million log-ons per day. The application is distributed internationally, but the bulk of its userbase are South African teenagers.
Hardware Requirements
A Java enabled mobile phone with internet capabilities (CSD/GPRS/3G) or a PC with internet, where in this case the application has to be emulated using a Java emulation application such as Mpowerplayer. Users of a Jabber client such as Google Talk can also invite MXit users using an email address formed from their cellphone number, i.e. number@mxit.co.za.
Tradepost
Tradepost is the MXit e-commerce store where users may purchase access to certain services and update Moola (the Mxit currency).
Moola
Moola is the currency used by MXit and its users. One Moola is the equivalent of one South African cent. With 200 Moola, 100 messages can be sent in the chat rooms. The user does not pay Moola for normal Instant Messaging. Above paying Moola, the user is charged internet costs, according to his or her service provider.
Criticism
Articles in the 27 July 2006 editions of YOU and Huisgenoot magazines accuse MXit of enabling access to pornography and allowing paedophiles to contact minor users, often by pretending to be minors themselves. On 30 July 2006, the M-Net actuality program Carte Blanche broadcasted an insert in which a young girl explained how an alleged paedophile contacted her via MXit. The girl, however, admitted that she violated the MXit rule not to share personal contact details with other users.[1] It is also not possible to access pornography directly through MXit, but users are able to post URLs to pornography websites (in much the same way as any other instant messaging client).
Protection of minors
MXit Lifestyle has taken certain steps to protect minors and other MXit users. These include:
- Online safety tips available on the official MXit website.
- Rules which prohibit pornography, stalking, harassment or other forms of abuse.
- Users agree to rules which are aimed at protecting their private information
- Users can ban other users from contacting them through MXit
- A peer rating system for exclusion of repeat offenders from chat rooms
- Secure login
- Users have full control over profiles and public information
- MXit users are required to be older than thirteen
MXit in the news
October Abduction
In October 2006, an alleged paedophile made use of the MXit service to gain the trust of a sixteen year-old girl living in Ekurhuleni, South Africa, and then was able to get her home address. The 33 year-old man then abducted the girl outside her Springs home on the 10th of October 2006, in full view of her sister with whom she was walking. The man took the teenager to a house near Randfontein, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and kept her captive for five days. The girl was able to escape, and notified the authorities. In a planned sting operation, the South African police snared the man by pretending to be another, different, teenage girl on MXit, and were succesfully able to trap him when he arrived at a predetermined meeting point. This incident, like most other abuses of MXit, result from users giving away personal information themselves. The man has appeared in the Springs Magistrate's Court on charges of abduction and rape. The creators of MXit have since aligned themselves with South African law enforcement to further secure minors' safety when using MXit.[2]
MXit blamed for exam results
Numerous news agencies and papers have placed articles in which they quote parents from all over South Africa who claim that MXit is having an effect on their children's school work. Some argue that their children fail to communicate properly and find themselves in their own world of mobile chatrooms. This has led to parents starting to confiscate their children's phones. [1]
Legal Duties
MXit use and users are governed by South African law. In terms of the provisions of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002, service providers such as MXit cannot be held liable for the content of user messages or the abuse of the technology by users and others. In terms of the provisions of the Regulation of Interception of Communications Act 70 of 2002, MXit may not monitor or intercept user communications unless authorised thereto by a court order. In the recent chat room case of Tsichlas versus Touchline Media, the judge said the following: "If discussion forum operators were required to monitor all postings for defamatory content, it would severely restrict the operation of the forum and would furthermore grossly curtail free speech". Further duties and rights of MXit and its users are detailed in the MXit terms and conditions available on the MXit website.
Benefits of using MXit
- Costs are cheaper than standard mobile rates.
- Facilitates social networking.
- Anonymous chatting. Protects identity and other personal information.
References
- ^ "MXit Safety Guidelines" (PDF). MXit.co.za. 2006-10-19. Retrieved 2006-10-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Rondganger, Lee (2006-10-19). "MXit teams up with police to improve security". IOL.co.za. Retrieved 2006-10-19.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)