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United Nations Advises RIM to Give Law Enforcement Access to Data
Amidst heightened concerns of security threats and desire to promote the spread of broadband coverage across the globe, the United Nations technology chief has called for the maker of Blackberry, Research in Motion Ltd (“RIM”), to allow officials fighting terrorism the right to access users’ information.
Blackberry service is designed for secure communications and RIM argues that the way the system is designed prevents anyone except its clients from decrypting communications.
The governments in the U.S. and Europe allow encryption technology, but officials in India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have demanded that RIM modify its practices to allow them access to BlackBerry e-mails as they are being transmitted. Their concern is with its encryption technology and whether it could be used as a cover for terrorism or criminal activity. On the other hand, civil libertarians argue that the controversy is a result of government frustration and its inability to eavesdrop on “BlackBerry-using” citizens.
For additional information, visit:
http://tinyurl.com/RIMandAccesstoData