Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Setback for BlackBerry in India
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Video
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
Scientists find new superbug spreading from India
10:07am EDT
Colorado Democrat Bennet escapes anti-incumbent mood
8:30am EDT
U.N. warns of second wave of Pakistani flood deaths
| Video
10:56am EDT
Nasdaq falls 3 percent
| Video
11:36am EDT
Attractive women overlooked for certain jobs?
09 Aug 2010
Florida AG proposes law against illegal immigrants
11:11am EDT
UPDATE 1-Colorado Democrat escapes U.S. anti-incumbent mood
12:39am EDT
Cancer cells slurp up fructose, US study finds
02 Aug 2010
Hollywood disdainful of Levi Johnston TV venture
4:07am EDT
Analysis: Drought to crimp not cripple Russia recovery
10 Aug 2010
Scientists find new superbug spreading from India
10:07am EDT
Cancer cells slurp up fructose, US study finds
02 Aug 2010
Attractive women overlooked for certain jobs?
09 Aug 2010
Quick brain scan could screen for autism
10 Aug 2010
Yen soars to 15-year high
10:11am EDT
Strange and unusual
29 Jul 2010
Setback for BlackBerry in India
| Video
8:24am EDT
House passes $600 million border security bill
10 Aug 2010
U.N. warns of second wave of Pakistani flood deaths
| Video
10:56am EDT
Advice to job seekers: drop the Merlot
10 Aug 2010
Setback for BlackBerry in India
Digg This
Tweet This
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Facebook
Factbox
Factbox: BlackBerry under fire from states seeking access
Sun, Aug 8 2010
Related News
UPDATE 1-India may decide BlackBerry fate in Thursday meet
2:53am EDT
India may decide BlackBerry fate on Thursday
2:50am EDT
WRAPUP 3-RIM to share some BlackBerry codes with Saudis-source
Tue, Aug 10 2010
WRAPUP 2-BlackBerry gets reprieve, source says Saudi "deal"
Tue, Aug 10 2010
Related Topics
Technology »
iPad »
Deals »
Inflows Outflows »
Media »
Regulatory News »
Related Video
BlackBerry in race to satisfy Saudis
Mon, Aug 9 2010
A woman uses her Blackberry at a shopping mall in Dubai, August 2, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/Mosab Omar
By Bappa Majumdar and Devidutta Tripathy
NEW DELHI |
Wed Aug 11, 2010 8:24am EDT
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India may temporarily shut down BlackBerry services if security concerns are not addressed in a meeting on Thursday, sources said, in a signal the Canadian firm's tussle with authorities around the world is far from over.
The latest ultimatum for BlackBerry maker Research In Motion comes a day after the company agreed to hand over user codes that would let Saudi authorities monitor its BlackBerry Messenger, as it seeks to stop the kingdom from silencing the service, a source said on Tuesday.
In a matter of a few weeks the BlackBerry device -- long the darling of the world's CEOs and politicians, including U.S. President Barack Obama -- has become the target for its encrypted email and messaging services.
India, like several countries in the Middle East and North Africa, want access to encrypted Blackberry communication, which has been linked to militant activity including the Mumbai attacks in 2008 that killed 166 people.
The government would meet with telecoms operators on Thursday, India's internal security chief U.K. Bansal told Reuters on Wednesday, but it was not clear if RIM would take part in the meeting.
RIM declined to comment.
India's home (interior) ministry will press on Thursday for some deadline to be fixed for RIM to share encryption details.
"There definitely could be talk of some deadline and a proposal to take strong action on BlackBerry services during the meeting," said a government official, who declined to be identified as he is not authorized to speak to the media.
Another senior Indian government official told Reuters that mobile phone operators could be asked to shut down RIM's Enterprise Email and Messenger services temporarily as a last alternative, if RIM does not agree to offer access to data.
"If they cannot provide a solution, we'll ask (mobile) operators to stop that specific service. The service can be resumed when they give us the solution," the source said.
The responsibility to meet Indian security requirements rests with mobile phone operators in India rather than RIM.
SAFE AND SECURE?
Much of BlackBerry's success over the past years has been its secure network, allowing executives to communicate safely, but one of its top selling points has now become a problem.
The German government has banned politicians and civil servants from using the BlackBerry and the European Union Commission this month rejected the BlackBerry in favor of Apple's iPhone and HTC smartphones.
RIM, unlike rivals Nokia and Apple, operates its own network through secure services located in Canada and other countries such as Britain.
RIM has said BlackBerry security is based on a system where the customers create their own key and the company neither has a master key nor any "back door" to allow it or any third party to gain access to crucial corporate data.
China and India are the world's largest mobile phone markets and any move to restrict usage could deny RIM significant revenue potential in coming years. There are more than 635 million mobile phone subscribers in India, second only to China.
Bharti Airtel and Vodafone's India unit are the largest providers of BlackBerry services in India, the world's fastest growing market and key for RIM.
The controversy comes at a difficult time for RIM as it battles growing consumer demand for smartphones running on Google's Android platform, particularly in the United States, and Apple's latest iphone 4.
The launch of RIM's new model BlackBerry Torch aimed at countering the growing competition was overshadowed by the firestorm over data encryption.
MILITANT THREAT
Authorities fear that the BlackBerry email and messaging services could be used by militants as security agencies cannot access the messages sent through these services.
India cracked down on the entire mobile phone market after Pakistani militants used mobile and satellite phones to coordinate Mumbai attacks. Authorities banned pre-paid phone subscriptions and still do not allow text messages in the volatile region of Kashmir.
While some governments are citing national security concerns, others are also citing social worries the encrypted messenger service enables, such as spreading pornography.
"As of now there is nothing more to comment on this issue," a RIM India spokesman said on Wednesday, when asked if a breakthrough was in sight.
India's security establishment took a hardline view on RIM's stance that it does not possess a master key to intercept data traffic on BlackBerry, insisting it needs access to encrypted messages in a readable format.
If enforced, an estimated one million users in India would only be able to use these devices for calls, text messages and the Internet.
Indian officials say RIM has proposed to help India track emails, without sharing encryption details, which security officials say is not enough.
(Writing by Paul de Bendern; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
Technology
iPad
Deals
Inflows Outflows
Media
Regulatory News
Add a Comment
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Reader Feedback
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Analyst Research
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
FindLaw
Reuters on Facebook
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Wednesday, 11 August 2010 Kabul attack kills two as Afghan civilian casualites rise
Burning Russia battles to defend nuclear sites
Putin wants Russian satnav system in new cars from 2012
InterContinental Hotels to create 160,000 jobs worldwide
US Fed promises stimulus to help slowing recovery
US-TECH Summary
Central African Republic asks U.N. council for help
|
WHO declares swine flu pandemic is over
Florida to sue major LCD makers for price fixing
Libya to fund Gaza homes after Israel approves aid
U.N. panel on Gaza flotilla incident begins work
|
A long, hot Ramadan for many devout Muslims
Iran plans help to Lebanon army as U.S. blocks aid
US productivity dips for first time since 2008
UK's Cameron pledges crackdown on welfare fraud
|
Saudi watchdog backtracks on BlackBerry ban
WHO chief says swine flu pandemic is over
Netflix and Epix strike programming deal
Israel weighed all options in Gaza boat raid
Nvidia chip team gets 25 million dollars from US military
Human rights groups ask WikiLeaks to censor files
Indonesia to crack down on porn over Ramadan
UN: Afghan civilian deaths rise sharply this year
Australian opposition plans to scrap broadband network
N.Korea goes YouTube for propaganda
Chinese 'peel' widget converts Apple Touch to phone: report
RIM to share some BlackBerry codes with Saudis: source
|
First Guantanamo trial under Obama opens
Dell to sell tablet for $300 with AT&T contract
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Over-40 actresses dominate September magazine covers
Dubai 'hot spots' freeze over as Ramadan nears
Hundreds of Muslims attend anti-terror summer camp
Captain Underpants' creator returns with more poopypants
Julia Robert's new movie worth the weight
Radical Indonesia preacher could face death penalty
Teachers face death in Thailand's troubled south
Saudis hoping giant clock will set 'Mecca Time'
'Spider-Man' musical set to open on Broadway
|
Over-40 actresses dominate September magazine covers
|
Elvis' granddaughter eyes Mad Max role
|
NATO: Roadside bomb kills 3 Afghan civilians
Anger grows in Russia press over slack fire response
Pakistani militants urge rejection of Western aid
|
U.N. panel on Gaza flotilla incident begins work
Obama signs 'libel tourism' bill
Supermodel Campbell defends war crimes testimony
U.N. report says Afghan civilian toll up 31 percent
|
Downpours bring more worries for China landslide town
|
Euro football championship advance vital for Spurs
NZ soldier buried after death in Afghanistan
Signs of movement towards Middle East peace talks
New superbugs spreading from South Asia: study
Chelsea agree Carvalho fee with Real
Taliban blamed for sharp rise in Afghan casualties
Bomb kills eight Iraqi soldiers, wounds four
|
BP spill cases to be heard in New Orleans
Virus sends costly messages from Android phones
Naomi Campbell says nothing to gain from diamonds
|
Colombia's Santos, Venezuela's Chavez restore ties
|
"Mad Men" ratings plunge 24 percent
Australian leaders to face 'Battle of Rooty Hill'
Sri Lankan war probe opens
Vatican US child sex abuse cases 'falling apart'
Pakistani militants urge rejection of Western aid
Pakistani Taliban urge rejection of foreign flood aid
Global Weather-Celsius
India may decide BlackBerry fate on Thursday
|
Downpours bring more worries for China landslide town
China mudslide rescue hopes fade as toll tops 700
"Mad Men" ratings plunge 24 percent
"Heartbroken" Fantasia overdoses over married man affair
Racing against time to preserve India's Parsi past
Japan's machinery orders up 1.6 percent in June
Stars of "Eat Pray Love" say it changed lives
Fiji wants to replace Pacific allies with China
China's inflation up after devastating floods
Elvis' granddaughter eyes "Mad Max" role
S.Korea urges N.Korea to return boat
Britney Spears to have cameo in "Glee"
Toyota suspends auto exports to Iran
'Spider-Man' musical set to open on Broadway
Nepal court to rule on 'Himalayan Viagra' murders
Taiwan stocks end down; Acer falls on weak sales
Seoul shares slip as Hynix leads tech slide
CORRECTED
New Zealand farmers most confident in 2 years -survey
Most 'failed to brake' in runaway Toyota crashes
S.Korean bonds rise early after U.S. Fed move
Heartbroken Fantasia overdoses over married man affair
|
Stars of Eat Pray Love say it changed lives
|
Korea Hot Stocks
Jane Lynch confirmed to host SNL
|
Mad Men ratings plunge 24 percent
|
Virus sends costly messages from Android phones
Google Street View throws light on web privacy
Israel wasn't ready for flotilla resistance-general
Russia deploys air defence missiles in Abkhazia
Direct talks in sight as U.S. envoy sees Netanyahu
|
Plastic Logic scraps long-awaited e-reader QUE
Top Iraqi officer warns US must stay past 2011
Pakistan issues fresh flood warning
Russia deploys missiles to protect Georgia rebels
|
British unemployment shows biggest drop for three years
New superbugs spreading from South Asia: study
Militant attack kills 8 Iraqi soldiers, 3 others
Israel wasn't ready for flotilla resistance: general
|
Industrial demand boosts Adecco net profit
Bodies of 4 American medical workers headed home
Nestle profits grow ahead of expected slowdown
Lebanon says aid to army must be unconditional
|
Lebanon court asks evidence from Hezbollah head
|
Russia says fires burn Chernobyl-tainted forests
|
Rwanda's Kagame wins election by landslide
|
Italy opposition wants united front vs Berlusconi
|
Setback for BlackBerry in India
|
Germany to keep close eye on Google Street View
|
R&B guitarist Phelps "Catfish" Collins dead at 66
Apple says to replace overheating iPods in Japan
|
Teri Hatcher sued by former business associate
Wi-Lan settles patent litigation with UTStarcom
|
Beijing resumes radio exercise sessions
India's Bharti profit slides as price war bites
Pakistani stocks, rupee end lower; o/n rates up
Tug of war over Czech Art Nouveau gem
Plastic Logic scraps long-awaited e-reader QUE
|
Jane Lynch confirmed to host "SNL"
Apple Japan offers to replace overheating iPod nano
Seoul shares end down 1.3 pct on growth woes
US dollar falls to a 15-year low against the yen
Heartbroken Fantasia overdoses over married man affair
|
R&B guitarist Phelps Catfish Collins dead at 66
|
Tiger Woods' TV allure: the train wreck factor
|
Teri Hatcher sued by former business associate
|
Busy mogul Nick Cannon finds time for pillow talk with Mariah
|
Old Spice hunk exchanges roles in Tyler Perry films
|
Wi-Lan settles patent litigation with UTStarcom
Apple says to replace overheating iPods in Japan
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights