Does AOL get your password when you set up video chat in Messages?

Question

When you set up video chat in Messages you can use your iCloud email address/Apple ID if you select AIM as the chat service.  To complete the set up it asks you to enter your iCloud/Apple ID password.  By doing so, does AOL/AIM get to know your iCloud password?

Answer 1

HI,
In Messages > Preferences > Accounts you can use the + button lower left under the list of account and Add the same Apple ID as an AIM account as you used for the iMessages account.
AS part of the workings of iChat 6 and Messages the app also logs in to an Apple Server as well as the AIM Server.
The dual Login is so AIM cannot 'read' the password unless you have an iCloud Issued @me.com or @iCloud.com  ID logged into the Apple Server as well.
This is a Pop up from Little Snitch checking if I will allow this Login to Apple.
@mac.com names from Apple, issued under the .Mac service and Paid for Accounts or as Trial Accounts or later during MobileMe as "iChat Names" are unaffected.
As you cannot recreate the Dual Login process here  you cannot use iCloud issued IDs on this AIM Page.
This does mean some Privacy settings are unavailable to you.
It also means if AIM "Suspend your account" (normally for "Unusual Activity") then changing your Password at Apple has no effect as they can't tell you have changed it.
9:57 PM      Saturday; February 23, 2013
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