• BlackBerry Faces Fear of Ban Again

    BlackBerry Faces Fear of Ban Again

    Techtree News Staff, Mar 24, 2008 2044 hrs IST

    The Indian Government has issued strict warning to all telcos to put in place necessary security systems within 15 days, else stop BlackBerry services.

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First, the Government of India asked Research in Motion (RIM) to provide them access to algorithms required to decrypt BlackBerry messages latest by March 31st, else face a total ban on BlackBerry services in the country -- entirely for security reasons. Then it was learnt that India is not considering banning the service at that point in time. Once again the issue seems to have surfaced with the Government issuing strict warning to all telcos to put in place necessary security systems within 15 days, else stop BlackBerry services.

Reportedly, the Department of Telecom (DoT) has issued directives to telecom service providers to work out specifics of how to provide full-proof security with concerned RIM Canada officials.

The implications -- if at all BlackBerry services were to be stopped in India -- are huge. Over 4 lac users of BlackBerry would be affected.

Previously, Telecom Minister A Raja had said that interactions were on with various stakeholders including the Home Ministry, and that matters would be resolved.

As per the latest reports, a RIM spokesperson has said that the company operates in more than 130 countries, and that it respects the regulatory requirements of governments. However that it does not comment on confidential regulatory matters or speculation on such matters in any given country.

Meanwhile, A Raja has expressed the view that the security of the nation is of paramount importance, and that this will not be sacrificed at any cost.

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Discussion Board
(4) Comments
SamRock
,Bangalore, on Mar 25, 2008 01:44 PM
Will someone enlighten me(us) about the "security issues" related to Black Berry?? What Security is the Govt talking about??
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Manu
,Chennai, on Mar 28, 2008 03:12 PM
When u send a mail or receive a mail using blackberry device, the mails are exchanged using servers sitting in Europe. So your messages go all the way to Europe and come back. RIM has not put a single server which sits in India. So if you want all header details for a blackberry used for unlawful activity in India, you have to go to Europe. Shameful isn't it? Government should straightaway ban this. Only if you ban, will the operators like Reliance will move there butt.
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Ramapriyan
,Bangalore, on Mar 25, 2008 05:47 PM
They (Govt) should have taken necessary steps before rather than talking about security issues now. Who will componsate the existing users ?
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anil
,Delhi, on Mar 25, 2008 10:52 AM
hello BlackBerry is good compny my friends any time only chuess BlackBerry.. I wount to Modling ...... my faces cut is good look. plz one chanss
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