Saudi Says RIM Deal Reached; BlackBerry OK, If We Can Read the Messages

crimeandpunishment writes "There's a deal on the table to avert a ban on Blackberry's messenger service in Saudi Arabia. A Saudi regulatory official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press the deal involves placing a server in Saudi Arabia ... and letting the government monitor users' messages, easing Saudi concerns over security and criminal usage. The deal could have wide-ranging implications, given how many other countries have expressed similar concerns, or in the case of the United Arab Emirates, have threatened to block Blackberry email and messaging services." Perhaps the governments of UAE and India would be satisfied, too, if only they had access to the messages transmitted.

Comments

Re:money talks, freedom walks

[tomhudson]

P,P. Just a fw points:

Yes, it's disappointing (to say the least) that RIM is enabling other countries to do what is illegal in Canada - such as making sure women don't date.

All that's going to happen is that people will find other ways, same as they have always done. The Saudi leadership wants this because they are very unpopular - world-wide, not just at home.

Re:they are a business, why should they care?

[PopeRatzo]

Businesses only worry about ethics when they might cause a reduction in profits.

Well, RIM joins the list of companies I won't ever do business with.

My Blackberry is getting a little old anyway. My contract was up back in March, so I guess it's time for a new, non-RIM phone.

It's not that I think my buying decision will have any effect on RIM. It's just that when I do business with a company that does scummy stuff, it bothers me. I feel better when I stop.

I stopped shopping at Whole Foods last year because the CEO was acting like a dick. Other people must have done the same because the CEO eventually got fired and Whole Foods profits are way down while some other companies in that same industry space are doing well.