No, not at all. Although we do recommend downloading the Messenger 9.0 application, it isn't required to manage the updates you broadcast via Messenger. Updates you're performing on Yahoo! properties will only appear to your friends if they're using Messenger 9.0.

To manage your updates without downloading Messenger 9.0, please go to:

http://manage.community.yahoo.com/vitality/

You'll be asked to provide your ID and/or password for security purposes.

To block all property updates:

1. Select No thanks, I don't want to share my updates with other Yahoo! users.
2. Click OK. You'll be taken to a new page.
3. Click Change.

You also have the option of not sharing individual properties. If you want to block updates to individual properties:

1. Choose one or more properties and select Don't share my updates from the drop down menu(s).
2. Click OK. The following message appears: Opting out of this source will stop broadcasting updates. However, some updates may continue to be displayed from cache for a short while.
3. Click OK. You'll be taken to a new page.
4. Click Change.