Blackberry 1 Totalitarian Snivellers 0

[Dropp the Pilot]

Olive: RIM rolls over Saudi snoops - thestar.com (http://www.thestar.com/business/companies/rim/article/846225--olive-rim-rolls-over-saudi-snoops?bn=1)

Next round, UAE.

[a345xxx]

I believe RIM has given the source codes to the Saudi's and potentially to the Indonesians's, Indians, UAE and whichever other Government that requests it..ie the same deal they have with the USA. SO I believe the score should be National Security 1 Total Privacy 0.

[ennui]

See the real deal people!

Announce it before Ramadan.

1 million UAE users panic, sell their old phones, and buy new ones!

The negotiations for the access to user data I am sure has been negotiated for a while. (This is after all why skype is illegal in the UAE)

All of a sudden all these new phones are purchased! 1 000 000 x 1500 dhs (average for a smart phone).

Of course there is no tax, but where do all the profits for the outrageous prices we pay for EVERYTHING go?????

It's an old fashioned mining camp where the company owns all the stores and control the prices.

Make hay while the sun shines, and then send it home!

[Jet II]

Not sure how RIM caving in and giving out its codes to allow messages to be read equals a win for Blackberry.

Reuters: A source familiar with the matter tell Reuters that RIM will give Saudi authorities the unique pin number and code for each BlackBerry registered in the country. That move means the Saudi government will not prohibit BlackBerry use in the country, but they will be able to access to encrypted texts sent via Messenger.

Analysts say that other countries, such as India, the U.A.E. and Kuwait, will now likely expect to make similar deals with the smartphone provider.

The source said RIM initially agreed to set up a server at each of the three Saudi service providers.

But that proved impractical, so the company changed course and offered the Interior Ministry and intelligence services the codes to all Saudi BlackBerry users

[desertopsguy]

It was going to happen, only a matter of time. Anyone who had any illusions that free speech etc etc would win over in the 'flintstone' kingdom was just kidding themselves.

So, RIM have handed over the codes, that still leaves the question regarding people who are roaming in Saudi Arabia. What happens when people on business who pass through that place turn their blackberrys on? Do the authorities automatically get access to their data too? Do Vodafone or T-mobile etc have a role to play in it when their customers roam.

Probably not so much of an issue in Saudi Arabia as there is no tourism to speak of but UAE still attracts alot of visitors and they have announced a similar measure planned for next Oct.

Meanwhile, enjoy ramadan, time for a beer and a pork bacon sandwich :E