U.A.E. to Suspend BlackBerry Services Citing Security

[hyperian]

Aug. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Research In Motion Ltd.’s BlackBerry services will be suspended in the United Arab Emirates, the Middle East’s business hub, from October because of security concerns as the company faces similar restrictions in India.

BlackBerry’s Messenger, e-mail and Web browsing services will be halted from Oct. 11, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority said in a statement on state-run Emirates News Agency. “In their current form, certain BlackBerry services allow users to act without any legal accountability, causing judicial, social and national security concerns for the U.A.E.,” it said.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...pend-blackberry-services-citing-security.html

 

[Way69]

Clearly BB's arent terrorist friendly...

 

[oronte]

I think the problem is that they are 'terrrorist friendly'. Let's hope the SA government doesn't start this nonsense.

 

[Nerfherder]

I think its more to do with their free services, UAE also ban skype because its free and takes business away from their local Telscum equvilent.

BB is way to unreliable for terrorist activities... imagine you want to send a message to your cell leader and then it says "gsm" in the top right hand of your screen.

 

[murraybiscuit]

the truth of the matter is that it has little to do with terrorism and a lot to do with a lack of control over the flirty youth who are tired of dishdash and yashmak and just want to meet somebody, fall in love and see what happens.
that kind of loss of social order seems a bridge too far for a culture steeped in conservatism.
i have a friend who is pakistani who has lived in jedda and is now in dubai, so i'm not just making this up.

 

[oronte]

I would amend that unreliable comment to Vodacom only. I use my phone on 2G 90% of the time and I've never seen gsm or gprs on my Blackberry thank you very much.

 

[Nerfherder]

I would amend that unreliable comment to Vodacom only. I use my phone on 2G 90% of the time and I've never seen gsm or gprs on my Blackberry thank you very much.

Sorry, you are correct. Thats why I'm still a BB fan, its a great service, I have seen it work on MTN phones.