Not happy Block on data services would reduce the devices to hand-phone-use only, feel many
Mumbai:
Country's BlackBerry users reacted with dismay on Friday to a government threat to block data services on security grounds, although some said it was necessary in the ongoing fight against extremism.
The Internet-enabled smartphones have become a must-have accessory in big cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and Banglore, as a sign of wealth, style and success for anyone from well-helped colleges students to corporate executives.
On Thursday, the government gave the BlackBerry's Canadian maker, Research In Motion (RIM), until the end of August to allow security agencies access to its encrypted mail and messaging services or have them blocked.
"It's definitely bad for us," said Ritika Bakliwal, a college student having morning coffee with two friends at a cafe in the heart of Mumbai's business district.
"So many people are using BlackBerry," the 20-year-old told AFP, holding a Curve 8520 model in a colourful plastic cover to protect it against the monsoon rains. "Once it's banned, sales will go down," she added.
Bakliwal and her friends said that they all use their phones browsing the Internet. They also use Google and Skype, which are also in New Delhi's sights, according to Fridays's Financial Times.
"I hope BlackBerry and the government reach some sort of agreement so we don't have to be affected," said Shaheda Madraswala. "The government does need security because of the threats, but I hope they reach a compromise."
India's ultimatum to RIM is motivated by concerns that the heavily encrypted services could be used by militants.
A block on data services would reduce the expensive devices to hand-phone-use only.
"I am in denial to be honest," said Siddhartha Butalia, a 25-year-old senior product designer in New Delhi. "It's ridiculous how anyone can block a phone service. Blackberry is the least of the government's problems."
"I am really upset," added business Ambuj Nautiyal, 28. "I just got the latest BlackBerry and if it gets blocked, it'll be useless to me.
"I think the government and BlackBerry should find a way out of it. Why did the government give BlackBerry the go-ahead in the first place?"
BlackBerry devices, which sell from about Rs 14,000 rupees (300 dollars), and other smartphones have become a preferred way of keeping in touch among business people and the upper echelons of Indian society.
Some users, though, said that a block on services would not affect them.
"It doesn't really make a difference," said 25-year-old marketing executive Kavya Chandra. "I just started using it anyway and I'd rather not always be available. It's only technology after all. My life does not depend on it.'
Vipul Modi, a high court lawyer in Mumbai, said he discontinued data services on his BlackBerry about six months ago because these were too expensive to use abroad.
BLACKBERRY RELENTS ON MESSAGES, NOT SERVER
Under pressure to deliver on India's security concerns, BlackBerry's Canadian maker Research in Motion will nest week deliver "technical solutions" that could help intelligence agencies read messages sent over BlackBerry messenger.
There is, however, no clear word if the company's new set of solutions would enable continuous monitoring of encrypted data sent over BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES).
The home ministry had set an August 31 deadline to make its enterprise server and messenger services accessible to security agencies.
Government sources said BlackBerry wasn't the only service on the security establishment's radar but only the first one to feel the heat.
"There are problems with other services too...We will take them one by one. There are security issues relating to Internet telephony and video chats," a government officials said. "Technology is moving faster than we have been able to move."
RIM vice-president Robert Crow met home secretary G.K. Pillai on Friday in light of the broad contours of the solutions that BlackBerry could put on the table to help meet national security concerns.
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