The United Arab Emirates is considering restricting or monitoring BlackBerry smartphones, because they pose a “national security risk.” The region's 'telecoms regulator' claimed that “BlackBerry operates beyond the jurisdiction of national legislation” because it stores its data offshore which could lead to “serious social, judicial and national security repercussions”.
The media freedom watchdog 'Reporters Without Borders' said that the UAE is using “repressive laws” and a “general trend of intensified surveillance.”
Many mobile phones are already monitored and last April the UAE interior ministry made plans to check the identity of anyone using the internet in public places.
RIM uses encrypted networks which make it difficult for governments to monitor communications and so the UAE telecoms regulator has taken issue with BlackBerry handsets. Research in Motion has currently said that they have no comment to make “at this point in time”.
Tension between UAE and RIM has been building since June 2009 after a separate row erupted between RIM and the state telecoms firm Etisalat after Etisalat released an “update” for the BlackBerry handset which RIM claimed was Spyware.
Disputes between tech manufacturers and governments are becoming more common place. It's an alarming situation to be in with many people wondering what the government are scared of.
Do you think UAE are right to be suspicious of the latest technology or are they simply trying to control what the population sees?
Source: BBC news tech