BlackBerry,and a grey area

Indias request to be allowed to monitor BlackBerry data exchange in the country has been turned down by the makers of the phone,Research in Motion RIM,arguing that the data encryption is designed in a way to exclude any third-party unauthorised access,including RIM itself. The government fears the encrypted data might become a tool in the hellip;

Indias request to be allowed to monitor BlackBerry data exchange in the country has been turned down by the makers of the phone,Research in Motion RIM,arguing that the data encryption is designed in a way to exclude any third-party unauthorised access,including RIM itself. The government fears the encrypted data might become a tool in the hands of anti-nationals. The debate has gained fresh urgency,but the debate over free flow of information versus security concerns is as old as these cellphones

UAE: The Emirates announced a ban on key BlackBerry services this week,after continued denial by RIM to disclose data exchange information about its users. The ban will be effective from October and will be applicable to both its citizens and tourists visiting the Emirates. Last year,telecom services in the UAE had got BlackBerry users to install a software on their phones,which turned out to be a spyware enabling interception of data exchange and call tracking.

Saudi Arabia: Is also considering a ban on BlackBerry services and,according to reports,might announce one by the end of the month.

Jordan: Has proclaimed itself satisfied with BlackBerrys services despite its neighbours actions. Will only consider a ban if it gets any warning from its security bodies.

Kuwait: On Tuesday,it asked RIM to block over 3,000 porn sites,which RIM has reportedly agreed to do by the end of the year. While Kuwait has also expressed concerns about national security,it has no immediate plans of banning BlackBerry.

Pakistan: Banned BlackBerry briefly in May 2010,along with Facebook and Twitter,after derogatory cartoons of Prophet Mohammad surfaced on the Net.

France: The country has banned government employees from using the BlackBerry,due to a distrust of its services and the fear of snooping by US intelligence,but with limited success. The risks of interception are real. It is economic war, Le Monde quoted Alain Juillet,in charge of economic intelligence for the government,as saying. Dismissing the allegation,RIM says the US NSA does not have the ability to snoop on its services.

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United States: Acting upon security concerns,the US Air Force has modified a lot of BlackBerrys services for all its employees. In March 2010,it announced that the modifications include blocking the Bluetooth function on all phones. It also blocked sending and receiving of images or video messages as well as download of any new applications by its employees. Earlier,US President Barack Obama had exercised presidential authority to be allowed to retain his BlackBerry in office. However,the phone is subject to certain restrictions.