RIM stands firm on BlackBerry security

No comments on professional proprietary grounds


GSMA Business Briefing
August 3, 2010

BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM) has moved to assure customers it will not compromise the security of its devices despite their recent ban in the UAE. But reports suggest that the Canadian firm is working behind the scenes to ensure that other countries in the region do not follow suit. In a statement RIM noted that it is "committed to continue delivering highly secure and innovative products that satisfy the needs of both customers and governments.” It added that it “respects both the regulatory requirements of government and the security and privacy needs of corporations and consumers,” but it did not directly reference the situation in the UAE on the grounds that it does not disclose the confidential regulatory discussions it has with individual governments. However, in an apparent response to the UAE’s complaints that it is unable to monitor BlackBerry data traffic, RIM underlined the fact that the BlackBerry security architecture is “purposefully designed to exclude the capability for RIM or any third party to read encrypted information under any circumstances.”

Despite its defiant tone, Reuters reports that RIM has moved to ease government security concerns in countries that are deemed to be planning similar crackdowns. In Kuwait, RIM has reportedly given "initial approval" to block 3,000 pornographic sites at the request of the country’s communications ministry, while it is also said to have given India's security authorities the right to monitor BlackBerry e-mail. The report also notes that, according to industry sources, Saudi Arabia had ordered local operators to freeze BlackBerry Messenger from this month. Meanwhile, the Obama administration in the US has pledged its support for RIM’s stance. According to the Financial Times, the US government described the UAE’s move as setting a “dangerous precedent” for democracy and freedom of speech.