State's BBM access plan: BlackBerry reacts

BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion (RIM) has vowed to "work cooperatively with all appropriate authorities" in SA but has warned it cannot decrypt the communications of its business customers who use its BlackBerry Enterprise Server product.

By Craig Wilson

6 Sep 2011

The company, responding to remarks on Monday, 5 September 2011, by deputy communications minister Obed Bapela that government is considering allowing law enforcement agencies to get access - through court orders - to the records of people using the popular BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service, says it complies with privacy laws and the Sim card registration law known as RICA.

Responding to questions from TechCentral, RIM says there can be "no changes to the security architecture for BlackBerry Enterprise Server customers since, contrary to any rumours, the security architecture is the same around the world and RIM truly has no ability to provide its customers' encryption keys".

Continue reading the full story, as well as Bapela defends BlackBerry interception plans, on www.TechCentral.co.za.

About Craig Wilson

Craig Wilson is an ICT journalist and speaker based in Johannesburg. He is deputy editor at TechCentral, the South African source for technology news, reviews and opinion, and regularly provides insight into the technology industry for radio and television. Email him at craig@techcentral.co.za, follow @craigwilson on Twitter and connect on LinkedIn.
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