Comments on: The Official Word from RIM About BlackBerry Security and Data Access

By: Caspan

Caspan — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 05:42:18 +0000

I hope RIM tells them to shove it. Its encryption or nothing. I hate the fact that people do this. Unless we can spy on you sorry you can't have technology. What happened to if I have an over the fence conversation with my neighbor it was private. Now if I BBM them the government has to make sure I'm not planning to bomb them. Screw them. RIM stick to your guns, eventually they will crawl back to you cause the people will demand it or replace the government.

By: Prom1

Prom1 — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 05:35:19 +0000

Well recent news is the Saudi Arabian government HAS REACHED a deal with RIM placing A server within their country. Not sure how this affects one specific statement above - yet now should ALL BUSINESS, and consumers NOT permit BlackBerry communication with users that have activated or on a BES within that country (or does business)/region?!

This recent deal may be perceived as a LACK of security and may give business' a lower hand when conducting deals in that region; NOT a smart or safe thing for business to continue operations.

Correction!: Reuters is reporting Saudi controlled telecoms are testing a fix; partial to server(s) in that region, partial to solution provided by RIM.

By: Mark Vonk

Mark Vonk — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:19:46 +0000

BIS is a different story. Messages and data packets flowing over the BIS infrastructure is also encrypted, but not end-to-end. Also, RIM could have a copy of your key(s) as they run the infrastructure, but I am not sure if they actually do anything to save/keep those keys.

By: Silver Fang

Silver Fang — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:49:24 +0000

I really hope RIM sticks to their guns. Any government that wants to have such ready access to the online life of its citizens isn't ready for the 21st century.

By: BlackBerryCool Roundup for the Week of August 2nd | BlackBerry Cool

BlackBerryCool Roundup for the Week of August 2nd | BlackBerry Cool — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:02:28 +0000

[...] BlackBerry Services Disconnected in UAE as of October Live From the BlackBerry Torch Slider Launch Event RIM Says It’s Unable to Accommodate Government Requests for Data Access BlackBerry Curve 3G 9300 Available from Rogers for $79.99 on 3 yr Plan The Official Word from RIM About BlackBerry Security and Data Access [...]

By: Caspan

Caspan — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:23:14 +0000

This is a device encryption for RIM services. This means all devices, not just BES or BIS users. When RIM data is sent that requires BIS or BES to be in the middle it is encrypted end to end. If you have a different service on your device like IM+ it is up to that service provider to encrypt your traffic.

By: Jason

Jason — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:18:39 +0000

This is the way it should be, but this is for BES customers, what about BIS customers? Also, to those who read this note that customer does not equal end users. For all intensive purposes the customer is your companies IT shop. They can read what is on your BB. The government can supena your information and obtain it. They just can't obtain it from RIM.

So in other words big brother is watching, he just isn't RIM.

By: Caspan

Caspan — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:05:28 +0000

Thank you RIM! This is the way it should always be. Just because technology exists does not mean the government should get to exploit it. I'm glad RIM does what they do with their end to end encryption…. man if someone ever got a hold of some of the pictures I send over BlackBerry Messenger I would have a lot of explaining to do.