BlackBerry to allow encrypted data access
The standoff between security agencies and BlackBerry is likely to end soon.
Highly placed government sources said Research In Motion (RIM), the maker of BlackBerry, had indicated willingness to allow security and intelligence agencies access to its encrypted services, particularly e-mail and SMS.
The telecom giant, the sources said, had agreed in principle that it would soon inform the agencies concerned about a solution, which may include setting up a server in Mumbai to monitor data.
The move will come as a shot in the arm for the country’s security establishment. With terror outfits relying heavily on use of technology intelligence agencies are also gearing up capacity to meet the challenge and bringing BlackBerry on board is part of the same initiative.
The government had earlier even threatened to block Blackberry services in India following its refusal to provide access to the encrypted information bring used on its platform.
“I think that Research In Motion, the company that runs BlackBerry, realises that concerns raised by Indian security establishment are genuine and need to be addressed. We hope to work in close co-ordination to ensure that the services provided by it can be monitored by security and intelligence agencies. BlackBerry has addressed these issues in other countries and they will do the same in India as well,” a senior government official said.
Since BlackBerry server is based in Canada where the encryption level is very high it is extremely difficult to crack by any agency. So none of the e-mails and SMSes being used on the BlackBerry network can be accesses by intelligence agencies in India.
The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) had been assigned the task of examining the whole issue and advising the government during hectic deliberations with BlackBerry. Though the nodal agency in this issue is the department of telecom, the security aspect was being looked into by the Union home ministry, which in turn had deputed the NTRO.
Sources in the NTRO said the BlackBerry’s response on the issue has been positive and in all probability they would be setting up a server in India.
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