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December 30, 2004 | Comments: (0)
eBay deals setback to Microsoft Passport
The decision by eBay to discontinue support for Microsoft Passport in early January is a major blow to Microsoft's identity management initiative for online commerce.
"In late January, we will no longer support the ability for members to sign in to eBay through Microsoft Passport," eBay announced Thursday on its Website. "This means that members currently using this service will have to sign in through eBay directly. Once this takes place, the Microsoft Passport button that is currently displayed on Sign In pages will be replaced with links to a page with more information, including Help in case you cannot remember your User ID or password."
Additionally, eBay said it will discontinue sending eBay notifications through Microsoft .NET alerts.
Microsoft, for its part, discontinued its directory of sites using Passport.
"The .NET Passport service offers streamlined sign-in at a wide range of Web sites and services," Microsoft said on its Website. "We have discontinued our Site Directory, but you'll know when you can use your Passport to make sign-in easier. Just look for the .NET Passport Sign In button!"
Analyst Jim Slaby, of The Yankee Group, said eBay's move reflects the diminished stature of Passport.
"It looks like Passport's moment in the Sun has passed," Slaby said. "Even Microsoft seems to be stealthily backing away from it. At one time, Microsoft touted Passport as the ultimate identity management solution for online commerce, but it's pretty obvious its uptake has been limited and it has had significant customers backing away from it. Monster.com earlier this year backed away."
The continued progress made by the Liberty Alliance toward identity manage-ment standards has also undercut Passport, Slaby added. Liberty Alliance participants includes technology giants such as Sun Microsystems, IBM, Oracle, Intel and others.
In fact, one of the results of the Sun-Microsoft alliance announced earlier this year may be Microsoft moving closer to collaboration with the Liberty Alliance. "It's not inconceivable that Microsoft would become a Liberty Alliance participant," Slaby said.
Posted by Jack McCarthy on December 30, 2004 02:13 PM
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