Indian Blackberry network given 15 days to allow government snooping or shut down
The last we'd heard, the Indian government had ruled out the threat of a Blackberry ban if RIM didn't allow it to snoop on messages, but it looks like some overzealous bureaucrat is getting his way after all: the Department of Telecom has issued a 15-day deadline for RIM to either open up for the G-men or get shut down. RIM says it won't comment on regulatory issues as a matter of policy, but it looks like the Indian government is playing hardball, with Telecom Minister A Raja saying that national security will not be sacrificed at any cost. Hmm, hear that? That's the sound of over 400,000 Indian Blackberry users desperately grabbing at their devices to get another quick fix -- something tells us this isn't going to end well.[Via Cellpassion]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jason @ Mar 25th 2008 3:24PM
Here's to hoping that RIM does the right thing and says "HELL NO!" to the government. With all of it's users, I doubt Indian businesses would let their government get away with shutting down the Blackberry network.
I guess we'll find out what RIM is really made of.
elgee02 @ Mar 25th 2008 3:52PM
Word. I hope RIM shows some backbone here and says FU to the gross invasion of privacy that the Indian Govt wants.
Andrew @ Mar 25th 2008 4:24PM
Do you think the NSA or any of the western govt agencies do not snoop on the Blackberry comunications of every country on the planet. Get off your self-righteous western ass and stop advising other countries what to do. If you cant get your own providers to say FU to your own governments, shut up and do something more productive.
Also, I dont think the article gives the full picture. One of the major concerns for the government was that it appeared that ALL traffic (including local traffic between two blackberrys in India) was being routed through the server in Canada as they had not set up such infrastructure in India. As more and more govt officials and company execs in India get blackberrys, the govt wants to ensure that the the traffic is more secure. IIRC they had the exact same issue in France and parlimentarians there have been asked not to use blackberrys as external govermnments can snoop on their communication.
PSM @ Mar 25th 2008 5:40PM
I haven't really been following the issue, but I see the point about potentially sensitive traffic going through another country's servers. But then why couldn't they just insist RIM set up a privately-run Blackberry network in India? Why does the traffic of that network have to be available for the government to see?
elgee02 @ Mar 26th 2008 12:47AM
Oh please, you're the one who needs to get over your high and mighty self.
So because the NSA may or may not possibly be snooping in our BBerry's we have no right to criticize the Indian govt from BLATANTLY doing the same? HA! Where the hell do you come off?
For the record, no one was more pissed off at my own US Govt when the Patriot Act was passed, so it's not I blindly support my own idiotic govt while I criticize others.
You best take your panties out of the major wad they're in and stop trying to excuse the Indian govt for this gross and unjustifiable invasion of privacy.
Andrew @ Mar 26th 2008 2:21AM
Most people in India care about national security and don't mind the govt accessing our communications. Rather my govt than some western govt.
So mind your own business and STFU. If you want to lecture someone go lecture your own governments, we dont need your advice. We would rather not be blown up by terrorists than appear all liberal and cool.
elgee02 @ Mar 26th 2008 2:33AM
Sacrificing personal privacy and liberties in the name of "national security" is dangerous and retarded. Let your govt get away with murder in the name of "national security" is what that leads to. It's a slippery slope.
LOL and go on acting like your govt is "above" western govts. I'll be the first to tell you the US govt is FAR from perfect but I'll take it and the US's much higher standard of living over India's. How's the overpopulation and rampant poverty treating you guys over there?
And for the record, a liberal I am not. I am a strong believer in personal freedoms and liberties and that NO govt has ANY right to take those away from you.
Dan @ Mar 26th 2008 2:00PM
come on canada! stand tall!!
Badonkadonk @ Mar 27th 2008 12:58PM
If the Indian Government wants to recommend (like France) that their government workers not use BB's because of the NOC being located in Canada (though I doubt Indian traffic is routed through that one), then they have every right to prohibit government agencies from using them. But shutting the entire network down because it is "too secure"? Total BS.