By Telecom Lead Team: Research In Motion, the makers of
BlackBerry, has set up its server in Mumbai, India, after much
controversy, allowing Indian law enforcement agencies to get real time data of
its BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) service.
The installation of servers will provide a mechanism for
lawful interception of its messenger services.
According to a presentation made at the meeting held in
the office of the Home Secretary, the servers have been inspected by a team of
officers and permission for direct linkage for lawful interception was expected
to be issued shortly, according to media reports.
The Department of Telecom prescribed a similar policy to
Nokia Push Mail.
For months, Canada’s RIM was locked in negotiations with
the Indian government. The point of contention was allowing access to encrypted
messages on blackberry messenger because security agencies had raised a red
flag over its operations citing non availability of method to intercept its
messenger service and enterprise mail.
However, the decoding of another highly
encrypted BlackBerry service – the BlackBerry Enterprise Server
(BES) is being worked out and is nearing solution.
But the BES does not have as serious
repercussions as BBM as it is being used mainly by corporations for
their business needs and if needed could be taken from their servers, added
sources.
Currently there are about 5000 Enterprise Servers for
BES. Director Intelligence Bureau Nehchal Sandhu said that these are
communications between the employees of the enterprise only and, therefore, are
not of high concern for security or Intelligence agencies.
RIM representatives explained that BlackBerry mobile device sends the encrypted
email which is sent to BES located with the service provider.
According to the licensing conditions, the service providers are liable to put
in a mechanism to allow security agencies to intercept any conversation or
message of any subscriber whenever required.
RIM has its operations in 175 countries.
India is not the only country, which had asked RIM to set
up data center. In December last year, the Indonesian government had also asked
RIM to set-up data centers.
Recently, the Indonesian communication and Information
Technology Ministry said that the government would soon issue a regulation
requiring all telecommunications companies operating in Indonesia to build data
centers here.
