The Hindu Business Line : BlackBerry Storm hits security hurdel

New Delhi, Dec. 3 With the security agencies tightening their screws following the terrorist attack on Mumbai, BlackBerry has come under Department of Telecom’s scanner yet again. This time concerns have been raised on a new device - BlackBerry Storm 9500 - slated to be launched in the country by Canada-based Research In Motion (RIM) shortly.

The Wireless Planning and Coordination wing of DoT, which gives approvals for all radio equipment and devices imported into the country, has said that since the device uses encrypted data for e-mail transmission through a server outside the country, it should be examined by security officials before RIM is allowed to launch the product.

Though the WPC said that it does not have any reservation in granting approval to the device as such, it has sought the opinion of Deputy Director General (Security) in this regard.

RIM request

RIM’s India spokesperson said that the company did not comment on regulatory issues. However, RIM has written to DoT requesting it to expedite the process, concerned that the launch plans for Blackberry Storm may get delayed.

“I have just learned that the WPC has referred type approval of Bluetooth certification for the Blackberry Storm to the full Ministry for clearance, citing questions over legality. This is unusual as RIM has previously received approvals for Bluetooth certification without delay for the Curve 8220, and more recently the Bold 8900,” said a letter to DoT from Mr Robert E. Crow, Vice-President, Industry, Government & University Relations, RIM Ltd.

RIM said that WPC may be reacting to the security concerns raised on Blackberry devices in the past, which was being addressed separately by the Ontario-based company.

“I would very much appreciate your looking into this and clarifying that there are no legal impediments to this new BlackBerry device being offered in India, and certainly not on the basis of type approval for Bluetooth certification,” the RIM letter sent on November 21 said.

The issue is likely to be raised during Secretary-level discussions with the Canadian Government.

Earlier issues

BlackBerry devices had earlier come under scrutiny after the security agencies expressed concern that the data being transmitted through the device could not be intercepted due to the high encryption codes being used by the company.

It said that the device could be used by anti social and terror groups to communicate since the e-mails sent out from a Blackberry could not be monitored.

The issue was put to rest after RIM gave an assurance that it will resolve the concern.

However it is not yet known how the security concerns are being addressed.

In India, BlackBerry is offered by a number of operators including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications and even State owned BSNL. The operators have kept out of the issue on grounds that it was to be sorted out between the Government and RIM.