UAE regulator to suspend BlackBerry services from October 11
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UAE TRE shoots self in foot
or is it camel toes.
ponder on dude.
I am still curious if the overseas operators who support BB are also having their service when inside the UAE blocked.
I trust that the BB blocking will be 100% watertight, similar to the strict ban on Skype. Or in other words unlt they get their percentage.
glf
ponder on dude.
I am still curious if the overseas operators who support BB are also having their service when inside the UAE blocked.
I trust that the BB blocking will be 100% watertight, similar to the strict ban on Skype. Or in other words unlt they get their percentage.
glf
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Maybe it is because RIM does not trust the UAE or the rest of the Middle East when they pull stunts like this:
"Last year, RIM criticized a directive by the UAE state-owned mobile operator Etisalat telling the company's BlackBerry to install software described as a service upgrade. Tests showed the download actually installed spy software on users' phones that could allow authorities to access private information stored on the handsets. It strongly distanced itself from Etisalat's decision and told users how to remove the software."
Just a backwards run society that has not caught up to the rest of the world, I mean blocking skype, and other sites, why allow the use of internet at all?
"Last year, RIM criticized a directive by the UAE state-owned mobile operator Etisalat telling the company's BlackBerry to install software described as a service upgrade. Tests showed the download actually installed spy software on users' phones that could allow authorities to access private information stored on the handsets. It strongly distanced itself from Etisalat's decision and told users how to remove the software."
Just a backwards run society that has not caught up to the rest of the world, I mean blocking skype, and other sites, why allow the use of internet at all?
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Well, as no-engines already pointed out - they only want the same "privilege", which the USA also have. Not that I like it, but I can't really condemn them for that.
Or would you prefer to be able to use it, knowing that Big Brother is always listening to your private conversations and reading your messages? Ban the thing, for all I care. Then at least we know what's going on.
The "Land of the free" is spying out all our data all the time, including all money transfers within Europe, with all the consent of my own government at home in Europe. THAT'S something I'm pi$$ed off about.
Or would you prefer to be able to use it, knowing that Big Brother is always listening to your private conversations and reading your messages? Ban the thing, for all I care. Then at least we know what's going on.
The "Land of the free" is spying out all our data all the time, including all money transfers within Europe, with all the consent of my own government at home in Europe. THAT'S something I'm pi$$ed off about.
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That is the problem with RIM's proprietary software business model.
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As mentioned, not only in the middle east do they spy on you
Hade a day out in the Yorkshire dales last week, drove past this monstrosity just out of Harrogate, Menwith Hill. Yank owned / run
though the signs read "RAF Menwith Hill"
Google Menwith Hill, you will be suprised. A whole lot worse than the UAE.
I sleep a whole lot sounder knowing the Yanks are ""caring"" for our national security with places like this.
Lid
Hade a day out in the Yorkshire dales last week, drove past this monstrosity just out of Harrogate, Menwith Hill. Yank owned / run
though the signs read "RAF Menwith Hill"
Google Menwith Hill, you will be suprised. A whole lot worse than the UAE.
I sleep a whole lot sounder knowing the Yanks are ""caring"" for our national security with places like this.
Lid
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Google Menwith Hill, you will be suprised. A whole lot worse than the UAE.
God I absolutely cringe for the future when I read comments like this. Let me guess, you're quite happy to take advantage of the benefits of a society that at least ASPIRES to some modicum of freedom, whilst taking shots at those awful ol' Yanks and their technology. Tell you what, if you really feel strongly that the UAE would a "whole lot better", why don't you move to the Middle East and submit fully to their great system? You'll love it!
I say if the UAE wants full control over the technology then let them invest countless millions in their own homegrown solutions and have at 'er...oh wait - their pathetic useless tiny country doesn't have the resources or knowledge or ANYTHING to do so other than to write cheques for other people's technology...and then demand control of it....which is more sad...the UAE or the people who defend them...tough call....
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You hit the Nail in the Head perfectly!!! Someone who has never been in the Middle East should not compare what we do in the USA or the UK to them. Like I mentioned, the Middle East is a totaly backwards run society, keeping your data secure is not a priority or does not exist for them.
With all the money they get from selling oil, you would think that they would have the best and fastest internet and technology in the world, but it is just the opposite in the Middle East, it is the slowest and drops off all the time. They are so far behind the rest of the civilized world. They would rather invest their money in the biggest and tallest structures and then go bankrupt. Who would want to go to Dubai to vacation when you have plenty of places in other parts of the world (USA, Europe, S. America, Australia, Etc....) that offer the same if not more with less restrictions
With all the money they get from selling oil, you would think that they would have the best and fastest internet and technology in the world, but it is just the opposite in the Middle East, it is the slowest and drops off all the time. They are so far behind the rest of the civilized world. They would rather invest their money in the biggest and tallest structures and then go bankrupt. Who would want to go to Dubai to vacation when you have plenty of places in other parts of the world (USA, Europe, S. America, Australia, Etc....) that offer the same if not more with less restrictions
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You hit the Nail in the Head perfectly!!! Someone who has never been in the Middle East should not compare what we do in the USA or the UK to them. Like I mentioned, the Middle East is a totaly backwards run society, keeping your data secure is not a priority or does not exist for them.
RIM has granted access to it's (your) data to China - now do you think they did that because it is progressive society that is committed to keeping your data secure? - or was it simply a commercial decision in exactly the same way as Google's.
Unfortunately in discussions like this people bring out all their old prejudices against a place they dont like to be (but for some reason never leave) and the real story gets lost
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For what it's worth, the local media in UAE are reporting that even visitors with BBs bought elsewhere will be unable to use most services on the Blackberry after the block comes in. If it does.............
My bet is for some sort of accommodation to be reached between RIM and the TRA before then.
My bet is for some sort of accommodation to be reached between RIM and the TRA before then.
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even visitors with BBs bought elsewhere will be unable to use most services
Other messaging systems, like Nokia Messaging, use the standard internet connection access point, which means they go via the local servers, and can be read.
My guess is that we are going to see some back pedalling by BB - this could well snowball, as people in other countries realise that BB allows some countries to read the lot.
For the record, I can sort of see the UAE point. There is something a bit odd when a government cannot read its citizens' emails, but another government can. I don't actually approve of anyone reading mine - they'd probably die of boredom - but if someone is going to read them, I would have thought the government of the country I live in, work in and party in has more right than someone in the US....
TA
There are so many businesses dependent on Blackberry in the UAE, I'm just curious to see what happens if this ban comes to fruition i.e. a solution isn't found between now and October 11... 
My guess.... this ain't gonna happen, but we shall see.
My guess.... this ain't gonna happen, but we shall see.
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correct me if i am wrong [and i probably am] but in the US/UK/CAN etc the gov can only read the data once they have gone through the correct judicial chanels and have proven that they need access to the data to protect national security.[i know big brother can manufacture data but alot harder to get away with it over there]
the problem that RIM have is that there are no judicial procedures that are the equivilent of those found in the US/UK/CAN in place with governments in the middle east or sub-continent. In other words there is no agreement between the UAE and CAN to allow for these requests to be submitted and processed under CAN law.
Perhaps a better solution [but one that would not allow for the evesdropping that the UAE gov want] would be to broker a governmental agreement between UAE/whoever that allows for legitimate legal requests for information. Part of that problem is that once a legal agreement is set regarding data then there are other implications including tax, criminal extradition, family law etc etc because with all things government its a two way street. i.e. you give us BB data on suspected terrorist "Mr Mad Jack McMad" based on this data we "found" and we will give you income details on "MR I Makeatonofcash".
I must admit though i am sort of looking forward to life without my BB going off all the time.
More then anything remember where you live and keep in mind the 2 buckets. one for cash one for sh*&. its time to go when either one is full. i think i have about 5 more scoops to go in my second bucket. I don't know anyone who has ever filled the cash one first.
the problem that RIM have is that there are no judicial procedures that are the equivilent of those found in the US/UK/CAN in place with governments in the middle east or sub-continent. In other words there is no agreement between the UAE and CAN to allow for these requests to be submitted and processed under CAN law.
Perhaps a better solution [but one that would not allow for the evesdropping that the UAE gov want] would be to broker a governmental agreement between UAE/whoever that allows for legitimate legal requests for information. Part of that problem is that once a legal agreement is set regarding data then there are other implications including tax, criminal extradition, family law etc etc because with all things government its a two way street. i.e. you give us BB data on suspected terrorist "Mr Mad Jack McMad" based on this data we "found" and we will give you income details on "MR I Makeatonofcash".
I must admit though i am sort of looking forward to life without my BB going off all the time.
More then anything remember where you live and keep in mind the 2 buckets. one for cash one for sh*&. its time to go when either one is full. i think i have about 5 more scoops to go in my second bucket. I don't know anyone who has ever filled the cash one first.
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keep in mind the 2 buckets. one for cash one for sh*&. its time to go when either one is full. i think i have about 5 more scoops to go in my second bucket. I don't know anyone who has ever filled the cash one first.
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How the heck are they going to properly asses a security threat?
They couldnt even sort out if a maids visa was valid, so they threw one of EK's Captains in the clink.
UAE ID cards anyone? Works great to scrape birds&^t off a window.
Its only about $$$$$, it will always be about $$$$$.
www.bloomberg.com/.../israeli-s-diamonds-are-dubai-s-best-friend-as-profit-trumps-emirate-policy.html
They couldnt even sort out if a maids visa was valid, so they threw one of EK's Captains in the clink.
UAE ID cards anyone? Works great to scrape birds&^t off a window.
Its only about $$$$$, it will always be about $$$$$.
www.bloomberg.com/.../israeli-s-diamonds-are-dubai-s-best-friend-as-profit-trumps-emirate-policy.html
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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The UAE Minister of Communications was interviewed on the SBS channel here in Australia tonight, his actual words, "The communication is encrypted when it leaves the Blackberry and goes to Canada, when it leaves Canada it is encrypted again before it gets to it's intended destination and there is no way we can interfere with it" !!!
India have come to an agreement with Blackberry, so the news said.
India have come to an agreement with Blackberry, so the news said.
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Well I for one am relieved. I will now sleep soundly in my bed at night (not before an 0300 HYD obviously) knowing that they have looked out for my security.
All those diehard terrorists and other security threats will no doubt throw their hands in the air, cry "What's the use in trying now" and go get a job in the nearest Starbucks now that they have had their Blackberries taken away.
terrorist - blackberry = barista.
All those diehard terrorists and other security threats will no doubt throw their hands in the air, cry "What's the use in trying now" and go get a job in the nearest Starbucks now that they have had their Blackberries taken away.
terrorist - blackberry = barista.
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Oh come on everyone what did you expect
It's a Third World country run by a bunch of cammel sh@gging bedouins.
"UAE authorities said last week BlackBerry services could pose a threat to national security" My @$$
It's just control of the masses by a bunch of paraoid muppets who don't you to have any freedom in what you do or say.
It's a Third World country run by a bunch of cammel sh@gging bedouins.
"UAE authorities said last week BlackBerry services could pose a threat to national security"
My @$$It's just control of the masses by a bunch of paraoid muppets who don't you to have any freedom in what you do or say.