Saudi Blackberry - User privacy or national security?

A threat to national security?

With Research in Motion's Blackbery causing such controversy in the Middle East, namely Saudi Arabia, now is the time to sit down and discuss the future of mobile communications and smartphones in the region - and the security concerns that go with them.

As for this week, it was announced that Research In Motion and Saudi Arabia had reached an agreement that will allow BlackBerry services to continue in the country, but the government will be given the ability to monitor messages causing all sorts of privacy concerns.

The deal will see a server installed in Saudi Arabia that will allow Saudi authorities to check BlackBerry users' data. This action was to supplement a possible ban of the devices in the Kingdom.

The Saudi authorities have long been concerned about the use of Blackberry, claiming that the device's ability to encrypt messages hampers the security agency's attempts to prevent terrorism and other illegal activities.

Saudi Arabia isn't the only country who has said they want to monitor Blackberry communication; the UAE, India and Indonesia have also expressed concern that such mobile communications could be used to violate laws or national concerns.

As a result, Saudi Arabia's wireless operators include Saudi Telecom, Mobily and a unit of Kuwait's Mobile Telecommunications were told to stop messaging services at the weekend after a year long consultation with RIM failed to bring BlackBerry functions in line with Saudi Arabia's telecommunications laws.

The ban is to last until operators can test the new server system that will allow security agencies to monitor user data. After that, "appropriate action on whether to suspend the service" will be taken after the proposed solution is shown to comply with regulatory requirements, a Saudi telecommunications regulator was quoted as saying.

Next Generation Telecoms Summit Middle East

Is this a step too far for the Middle Eastern communication providers and security providers or is it a legitimate concern? Does it breach privacy laws and cause company security concerns? And what about Research In Motion, should they have agreed to such demands or pulled out of the region altogether?

These are just some of the questions that will be asked at the Next Generation Telecoms Summit (hosted by GDS International) at the Fairmont Abu Dhabi fro, the 1-3 November 2010.

As well as serving as an arena for senior level executives to engage in clear and focused dialogue with their peers and examine their management objectives in a relaxed and vibrant environment, the summit will also play host to some of the biggest names in the sector including; Ashfraf Ismail - Mobily, Saudi Arabia, Jan Wuppermann - Vodafone Egypt, Zeyad Al-Obtaibi - Saudi Telecom, Shadi Majdoub - Kuwait National Telecom Company (KNTC) and Khaled Marmoush - Telecom Egypt.

Relevant articles:

Saudi Blackberry ban to take effect | Is the Blackberry a UAE security risk? | Mobily optic fiber network growth | Vodafone and Doha Bank unite for mobile money service |Are family owned firms deterring investors?

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