Blackberry loses its grip on GCC and the trail follows
Sunday August 1st. the announcement has been made. Blackberry users of the two largest telecommunication companies in the UAE ( DU and Etisalat) will no longer have the capability to use the browser, email or the beloved BBM anymore in the country.
This so called battle between the UAE’s TRA (Telecommunications Regulatory Authority) and the RIM (Research In Motion) has been going on for quite a while for those who had no idea. In June 2009, Etisalat was accused by RIM for using an update program which apparently was a spyware to send and receive all the messages and communication to a central server controlled by Etisalat. There were even complaints that the update drained user’s battery life, but later found out it was a spyware to spy on user’s activities. RIM took charge and provided an update to counter attack the spyware and remove it from the system and even released a statement saying “the update was not written by RIM”. On July 17th, a note was posted on the Dutch Website Automation Guide, RIM explained that Etisalat distributed a surveillance application designed and developed by SS8. SS8 is a Milpitas, California, company that develops communications surveillance products for law enforcement. When contacted the company did not respond to a telephone call seeking comment. Etisalat responded to this by saying that it was a “slight technical fault” and said it can be uninstalled by pressing 101 on their phones. The main reason for this harsh decision made is because Etisalat believes that the Smartphone services posses a National Security risk to the country. The concern behind this is how the data on the network is managed and stored, not to mention that it's all kept outside of the Emirates. According to the government statement, certain BlackBerry applications allow folks to misuse the service, causing serious social, judicial, and notional security repercussions. It's worth a mention that RIM uses a high level of encryption on its data transfer, which many users find attractive, though some governments may view it as a problem and a method to circumvent security forces. "Due to its technical nature, some BlackBerry services, like the messenger, email, and web browsing, remain beyond the implementation of local laws," the TRA said. It said these services could "allow individuals to commit violations without being subject to legal accountability, which would lead to dangerous implications on the social, judicial and national security." This suspension of the service will remain until an alternative solution has been provided. Both DU and Etisalat have been given instructions to provide their solution as soon as possible. "Providing alternative offers that would guarantee the continuity of messenger, email and web browsing to personal and business clients is at the top of our priorities was released by the chief of TRA. This suspension of service is going to affect more than 500,00 users who are connected worldwide with clients, friends and family. Another reason for this suspension is because a Paris-based media watchdog Reporters with Borders accused the UAE of "harassing and arresting users of BlackBerry Messenger who allegedly tried to organise a protest" against an increase in petrol prices. "We call for an end to this government witch-hunt against BlackBerry Messenger users who tried to get their fellow citizens to join them in a protest," it said on Thursday, claiming that one of the organisers, Badr Ali al-Dhohori, 18, has been in custody in Abu Dhabi since July 15. Moving on to other countries in the world……. In April this year, Bahrain became the first country in the world to take legal action against users of BlackBerry’s chat service. The Bahrain News Agency said that local consumers had been using the service to post news, despite not being licensed to do so by the local government. As a result, a Bahraini service entitled ‘Breaking News’ – which had more than 12,000 subscribers – was suspended despite the fact that most of the reports were reposted from official news postings. In Saudi Arabia, the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) did say that it would take action against RIM if it did not locate its servers in the country. However, RIM refused, and the issue seems to have petered out due to no further response from the regulator. A board member at state-controlled Saudi Telecom (STC) confirmed the regulator had imposed a ban. Speaking on Al Arabiya television, he said the Kingdom had not gone as far as the UAE, but urged BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) to reconsider its stance on encrypted data. "UAE took a bolder step than Saudi Arabia whereas Saudi Arabia is only banning one, the Messenger,”. I hope this is only a kind of pressure on RIM to take steps to provide information when needed. The BlackBerry is also a hot topic of debate in Kuwait, where officials have expressed particular concern over the BlackBerry Mobile service.
I guess we just have to wait for Du and Etisalat to see what they provide as an alternative and if it really help or maybe the issue gets resolved before that time comes. (Fingers crossed Blackberry users)
