Blackberry weathers more data security concerns
TEXT OF STORY
Bill Radke: The U.S. government says it’s disappointed by the move to ban Blackberry’s Internet service in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The ban will apply to business travelers and tourists. The BBC’s Mark Gregory reports other countries also have security concerns about the device.
Mark Gregory: The United Arab Emirates says it needs to view Blackberry’s wireless data to improve security and fight terrorism. The government insists it’s only asking for the same concessions as Blackberry already gives the U.S. and other countries.
Marek Pawlowski keeps tabs on the mobile phone industry for MEX Consulting. He says Blackberry maker Research in Motion, or RIM, is used to these types of threats:
Marek Pawlowski: It’s worth remembering that RIM is not particularly new to these problems because of the way in which it structures its service. It has faced these kind of concerns before, and yet still the business has continued to grow.
Whatever deal RIM makes with foreign governments is unlikely ever to be known in full. And despite its statements about the UAE, analysts say the U.S. government can probably read things on your Blackberry even it won’t admit to.
In London, I’m the BBC’s Mark Gregory for Marketplace.
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