US to keep off BlackBerry row

Aug 16, 2010 |

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Washington, Aug. 15: The United States has said it is not mediating between the Blackberry maker RIM and India, which has asked the smartphone vendor to provide access to some of mobile messaging services or face ban in that country.

“While we have been in touch with our foreign partners, this is a matter for Research in Motion (RIM) to work out directly with Indian officials,” the State Department said in a statement in response to a question if the US is mediating on the Blackberry dispute.

With several countries including India, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia threatening to stall Blackberry services in their countries because of similar concerns, the State Department official this week met RIM officials to discuss the issue.

The State Department officials have also been in touch with these countries to understand their security concerns. The Secretary of State, Ms Hillary Clinton, last week had termed the security concerns as legitimate. India has threatened to shut down BlackBerry e-mail and instant messaging services by August 31, unless RIM granted security agencies the technology to decrypt BlackBerry communications, citing national security concerns.

A delegation of RIM met home secretary, Mr G.K. Pillai, to discuss the government’s notice.

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