Stepping up efforts to resolve the security concerns related to BlackBerry services, the government has joined hands with the Canadian firm manufacturing BlackBerry devices, Research in Motion (RIM), to address the issue of data encryption. “Our technical team (task force), in coordination with RIM, is working to sort out the issue of data security. We are positive on solving all security-related concerns,” said Minister of State for IT and Communication Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Security agencies have confirmed that the system is susceptible to misuse by anti-national forces and had asked for government intervention.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs is looking into the security aspect to ensure that the service doesn’t harm anyone,” said Scindia.
Indian Mujahideen terrorists had used WiFi network to send emails claiming responsibility for the serial blasts that rocked the nation during the past months.
Considering its misuse, law enforcement agencies have even raised a demand for restricting BlackBerry services.
However, the ministry said that it did not plan to ban BlackBerry sevices.
“We are here to provide free flow of service and we are doing that. Our ministry is there to make sure that customers don’t face any problem. The service (BlackBerry) is operational and we hope that it continues to run,” the minister said.
The security agencies have asked the Department of Telecommunications to ensure that traffic originating and terminating in India does not travel outside the country.
Amidst security concerns on the use of BlackBerry services, India has already assured Canada that commercial interest of RIM, the maker of BlackBerry, will be kept in mind while taking any decision.
Both Indian and Canadian governments had exchanged letters in an attempt sort out the issue.
On April 17, Canadian High Commissioner David M Malone had written to Communications and IT Minister A Raja, through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on the issue of lawful interception of information related to RIM.
The MEA, in its reply to Malone on April 25, said, “It would be advisable for RIM to recognise that the DoT is trying to be helpful in the case and to work together with them. It may not help the RIM cause to make allegations about those who are trying to help them.”
There are about 400,000 BlackBerry subscribers in India and the services are being offered by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar, Reliance Communications and BPL.
The DoT had also convened a meeting of various stakeholders in order to find a solution to the problem including IB officials with technical representative of RIM.
