Saudi regulators threatened to shut down BlackBerry service in Saudi Arabia because communications between BlackBerry users are encrypted. RIM originally said the BlackBerry was so secure there was no way to unencrypt a user's messages, but it looks like that was not exactly true.
According to a Reuters source, RIM "has agreed to hand over coveted 'codes' to users' phones to try to avert a ban on its Messenger service in Saudi Arabia." I thought there weren't any codes to give up. I thought RIM's position has been the BlackBerry has end to end encryption that cannot be cracked. Hmm? Other reports say that RIM has instead agreed to place servers in country so the government has access. Either way, it looks like RIM has caved to the pressure from these governments.
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and India, have all expressed concern that the BlackBerry could be used to harm social and national security interests. These countries are worried that encrypted texting fosters freer speech and could encourage young singles to communicate in a way that is prohibited. Apparently unrelated men and women are prohibited from having contact with each other. The bottom line is these countries are afraid they won't be able to spy on their citizens so they want the BlackBerry banned.
Instead of holding firm, RIM caved to the pressure of these governments and will apparently release the "codes" to the encryption. A Saudi regulator said, "in light of the positive developments in completing part of the regulatory requirements from the service providers, the regulatory authority has decided to allow the continuation of the BlackBerry Messenger services."
Does this mean that only BlackBerry messages in these countries are now exposed? What about BlackBerrys in other parts of the world? Are they secure? How will RIM tout security when they are so willing to hand over the keys to the kingdom? Stay tuned.
According to a Reuters source, RIM "has agreed to hand over coveted 'codes' to users' phones to try to avert a ban on its Messenger service in Saudi Arabia." I thought there weren't any codes to give up. I thought RIM's position has been the BlackBerry has end to end encryption that cannot be cracked. Hmm? Other reports say that RIM has instead agreed to place servers in country so the government has access. Either way, it looks like RIM has caved to the pressure from these governments.
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and India, have all expressed concern that the BlackBerry could be used to harm social and national security interests. These countries are worried that encrypted texting fosters freer speech and could encourage young singles to communicate in a way that is prohibited. Apparently unrelated men and women are prohibited from having contact with each other. The bottom line is these countries are afraid they won't be able to spy on their citizens so they want the BlackBerry banned.
Instead of holding firm, RIM caved to the pressure of these governments and will apparently release the "codes" to the encryption. A Saudi regulator said, "in light of the positive developments in completing part of the regulatory requirements from the service providers, the regulatory authority has decided to allow the continuation of the BlackBerry Messenger services."
Does this mean that only BlackBerry messages in these countries are now exposed? What about BlackBerrys in other parts of the world? Are they secure? How will RIM tout security when they are so willing to hand over the keys to the kingdom? Stay tuned.
