BlackBerry Helps Indian Gov't Spy On Users' Messages

hypnosec writes "The longstanding stalemate between the Government of India and BlackBerry (formerly RIM) is over after the government reportedly accepted the solution provided by BlackBerry regarding lawful interception of messages sent using BBM and internet emails sent using BlackBerry Internet Services (BIS). As a result of this, the government will now be able to monitor e-mails in real-time sent using BlackBerry services and messages on BlackBerry Messenger. According to Economic Times, which claims to have reviewed a copy of the internal Department of Telecom document, 'Baring a few minor points for improvement of viewers, the lawful interception system for BlackBerry Services is ready for use.' The initial demands of the government also included the ability to intercept and monitor emails and messages sent using BlackBerry Enterprise Server, but it seems that this demand have been shelved for now."

Comments

Article 8, European Convention on Human Rights

[auric_dude]

May well cover this point https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article_8_of_the_European_Convention_on_Human_Rights & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Convention_on_Human_Rights#Article_8_-_privacy but YMMV.

Sensationalize much?

[ArhcAngel]

India currently does this on all mobile carriers. RIM/BlackBerry is a mobile carrier as well as a device manufacturer. RIM was the only carrier that resisted (that I am aware of) the monitoring of their network (BlackBerry Internet Services or BIS). The Indian government threatened to suspend their network altogether if they didn't capitulate. RIM agreed to discuss the matter further and have been in negotiations for the last 2 years. Since BB 10 doesn't even use BIS I suspect BlackBerry is just giving India what is is asking for. This does not in any way effect enterprise deployments using a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) as the encryption keys are generated at the server and kept only by the enterprise.

Nothing to see here...move along.