RIM "allows Saudis to monitor Messenger"
By Reuters and Stewart Mitchell
Posted on 11 Aug 2010 at 08:39
Blackberry maker Research In Motion has given in to demands to let Saudi authorities monitor its Messenger service, in a bid stop the kingdom silencing the service.
Sources close to talks between the two parties claim RIM will give Saudi Arabia the unique PIN number and code for each BlackBerry registered in the kingdom, a move that would allow authorities to read encrypted text sent via Messenger.
The arrangement would effectively give Saudi Arabia access to RIM's main server for Messenger, but only for communications to and from Saudi users, the source said.
The Canadian company declined to comment, repeating its earlier statement that is "cooperates with all governments with a consistent standard".
Saudi Arabia, like United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, India and some other countries, has sought access to encrypted BlackBerry communications, citing social and national security concerns.
The moves have been met with dismay by political activists and other libertarians, who believe RIM should keep the service private, as it allows people to organise social and political change without fear of government reprisals.
They are also angry that RIM appears to have gone back on its word following comments from co-chief executive Michael Lazaridis last week that RIM would have to comply with a court order to intercept communications, but would not do any snooping work for the Saudis.
"I would give them the encrypted stream," he told the Wall Street Journal. "It would have to be like a wiretap."
However, a code-sharing arrangement would let the Saudi interior ministry monitor Messenger activity, the source said. "It seems to be contrary to what RIM has always maintained," said Paradigm Capital analyst Barry Richards.
RIM faces another tense day of negotiations as it moves to stave off a ban in India, where Government officials say they may decide tomorrow whether to pull the plug on Messenger and email if RIM doesn't address the country's security concerns.
From around the web
The worst solution
This seems like the worst solution possible. Placing message servers inside Saudi Arabia would make the service equivalent to other mobile and internet services.
By giving users encryption settings to the Saudi authorities there can be no monitoring of what is intercepted. e.g. the Saudi authorities can eavsdrop on Saudi registered phones in use outside the country!
By milliganp on 11 Aug 2010 
Stop the Ads!
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING ADDING AUDIBLE ADVERTS TO YOUR WEBPAGE?
This is one way to ensure people in business do not visit your website. Are you guys really that ignorant about your target demographic and why and when they visit your website?
By mbassoc on 11 Aug 2010
Audible adverts
1. mbassoc is right. Audible adverts are a frickin' HUGE no-no. Get rid, please, soonest.
By nichomach0 on 11 Aug 2010
STOP THE ADS!
Guys - these audible ads are going to drive me away from your web site. Don't you realised that having the same sounds replayed again and again every time you click forward or backward on a web page is infuriating? It feels like you are going against everyhing I thought you stood for. If this is what you need to do to make a profit, you're doomed.
By PTarren on 11 Aug 2010
Audible ads
We don't allow advertisers to run audio by default and this ad was published on the site by mistake.
It's now been removed. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Barry Collins
Online Editor
By Barry_Collins on 11 Aug 2010
Bravo, Barry!
Thanks for responding so quickly .
By nichomach0 on 11 Aug 2010
Fantastic!
Peace at last to lurk and browse whilst I'm meant to be working.
By mbassoc on 11 Aug 2010
@mbassoc
I'm staggered that someone who is browsing while they're meant to be working has their PC's audio on anyway!
By halsteadk on 11 Aug 2010
Run my own business. But Audible ads are an intrusion into the office. Either way, it would be just as big an intrusion on a train or at the airport. Glad they are gone.
By mbassoc on 11 Aug 2010
The ads
Thank you! Nice to have a rapid response. Accidents do happen...
By PTarren on 11 Aug 2010
RIM Capitulate...
How many other countries will RIM now let snoop on their "customers"? India is demanding now when will it be the Western countries turn, if they haven't got the capability yet anyway? It's all economics anyway...
By kiddo on 12 Aug 2010
What makes you think that the western companies don't have this capability anyway?
If the president of the US visits the UAE and messages someone over there, then his messages can be intercepted by the local government? Surely one of the millions of security departments are a step ahead of that and already have measures in place to deal with.
I don't think its paranoia... at least not any more paranoia than the ones that are out to snoop already.
By khellan on 18 Aug 2010
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