Google told to meet security needs
Source: Agencies |
August 14, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
India will go after any company, including Google, after cracking down on BlackBerry in its bid to keep the world's fastest growing mobile phone market safe from militants and cyber spying, a government source said yesterday.
BlackBerry's Canadian maker, however, expressed optimism that the company would resolve India's security worries.
India has given Research In Motion, the maker of the popular BlackBerry smartphone, until August 31 to comply with a request to gain access to encrypted corporate email and messaging services or those services will be shut.
RIM is under pressure from governments around the world to give access to its codes. Other firms have also faced scrutiny since officials intensified their fight against Islamic militants misusing mobile devices.
"Wherever there is a concern on grounds of national security the government will want access and every country has a right to lawful interference," said an interior security official, who declined to be identified.
Militants used mobile and satellite phones in the attacks on Mumbai in 2008, which killed 166 people.
The authorities have for more than a year been looking at Google's messaging, Skype and other providers of communication in India.
India has already forced mobile phone operators to follow strict import rules when buying telecoms network equipment.
"We have concerns regarding these (Google and Skype) services on grounds of national security and all those services which cannot be put to lawful interference," the interior security official said.
India's demands follow a deal with Saudi Arabia, where RIM agreed to give authorities codes for BlackBerry Messenger users. The United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Algeria also seek access. India wants access to encrypted data in a readable format, a demand RIM is resisting.
India has been criticized for seeking blanket restrictions while mobile phone operators say they have to offer consumers privacy and secure communications.
"Obviously we support the government in its responsibility to provide security, that's not a question," said Rajan Mathews, director general of the Cellular Operators' Association of India. "The only issue is how do we go about implementing the security objectives."
BlackBerry's Canadian maker, however, expressed optimism that the company would resolve India's security worries.
India has given Research In Motion, the maker of the popular BlackBerry smartphone, until August 31 to comply with a request to gain access to encrypted corporate email and messaging services or those services will be shut.
RIM is under pressure from governments around the world to give access to its codes. Other firms have also faced scrutiny since officials intensified their fight against Islamic militants misusing mobile devices.
"Wherever there is a concern on grounds of national security the government will want access and every country has a right to lawful interference," said an interior security official, who declined to be identified.
Militants used mobile and satellite phones in the attacks on Mumbai in 2008, which killed 166 people.
The authorities have for more than a year been looking at Google's messaging, Skype and other providers of communication in India.
India has already forced mobile phone operators to follow strict import rules when buying telecoms network equipment.
"We have concerns regarding these (Google and Skype) services on grounds of national security and all those services which cannot be put to lawful interference," the interior security official said.
India's demands follow a deal with Saudi Arabia, where RIM agreed to give authorities codes for BlackBerry Messenger users. The United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Algeria also seek access. India wants access to encrypted data in a readable format, a demand RIM is resisting.
India has been criticized for seeking blanket restrictions while mobile phone operators say they have to offer consumers privacy and secure communications.
"Obviously we support the government in its responsibility to provide security, that's not a question," said Rajan Mathews, director general of the Cellular Operators' Association of India. "The only issue is how do we go about implementing the security objectives."
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