Don't shoot the messenger

2 August 2010 By Una Galani Follow @ugalani

Research In Motion’s smartphone is the first choice for the global banking community. The UAE restrictions on it are a big negative for business. Both sides have plenty to lose, and Apple’s rival iPhone is gaining ground. UAE’s move looks ballsy. But a compromise seems likely.

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BlackBerry users in the UAE and Saudi Arabia may have key services cut off after authorities stepped up the pressure on Canadian device maker Research In Motion to provide access to encrypted messages.

The UAE said it would suspend BlackBerry Messenger, email and web browser services in the country from Oct. 11, while industry sources said Saudi Arabia had also ordered local telecom companies to freeze Messenger services.

The UAE Telecoms Regulatory Authority said the action was a result of the failure of attempts, dating back to 2007, to bring BlackBerry services in line with the country's telecommunications regulations.

Last month India raised national security concerns over the BlackBerry devices and RIM is working to address the issue, according to government officials.

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