Business | Technology

TRA clear on BlackBerry usage rule

Telecommunications Regulatory Authority says it has no plans to restrict messaging services for the smartphone device in the UAE

  • Gulf News Report
  • Published: 00:00 July 27, 2010
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: Javed Nawab/Gulf News
  • The statement came one day after the TRA said that it was working with Research in Motion (RIM), the maker of the BlackBerry smartphones, to resolve "serious social, judicial and national security" issues with the popular devices.

Dubai: The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) says it has no plans to stop messaging services for BlackBerry smartphones in the UAE.

TRA executive director of Technology Development Affairs Mohammad Geyath told the Al Arabiya news service: "We are studying all options to regulate the services... but we don't have plans to stop them".

The statement came one day after the TRA said that it was working with Research in Motion (RIM), the maker of the BlackBerry smartphones, to resolve "serious social, judicial and national security" issues with the popular devices.

At the centre of the security issue is the BlackBerry Messenger which provides free, e-mail services to the gadget. The system uses RIM's computer servers in Canada and is therefore outside the jurisdiction of the UAE authorities.

The TRA claims that the BlackBerry is currently the only device "that immediately exports its data offshore and is managed by a foreign, commercial organisation".

This is not the first time the BlackBerry has been the target of security concerns in the UAE. Last year, etisalat brought out what they called an "update" for BlackBerry users in the UAE. The update reportedly gave the TRA the ability to monitor emails on the device. However, users said the update affected the handset's ability to work properly, resulting in a backlash.

Other countries have also complained about BlackBerry's messaging system. Following the Mumbai terrorist attacks last year, India claimed the devices could pose a threat to national security after it was reported that terrorists had been using the devices to communicate.

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What do you think about this? Will a regulation of BlackBerry services affect you? Are you concerned about security issues when using your BlackBerry? Tell us.

Comments (12)

  1. Added 16:20 July 27, 2010

    Any new technology should be studied thoroughly even before implementing in consideration of national security.and in the Best interest of the nation the Data should be maintained by a Local government firm rather than a firm in a foreign country with different regualtions.

    Arif, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 14:15 July 27, 2010

    I have been part of the very first ones to use a BB since 2007, (a 8700) and got used to people making fun of me. Now the same folks cannot do without the device. The only difference between a BB and others is the ease of messaging, otherwise believe you me, the device has all sorts of problems, from the track wheel/ball to batteries, shaky keypad, no resale value, etc. My 2005 N70 does a better job even after having accidentally dropped it on all kinds of surfaces for countless times, and although it has lost its glamour in this part of the world, these days. One can download all the relevant softwares and use it even better than a BB, and I can state this with authority as I use both the brands. Users must behave like responsible grownups and stop gossiping or spreading rumours about anything and everything. We must be thankful to our fate and the financial situation that some of are in to enjoy what only a few can enjoy in other parts of the world. Freedom does not mean creating problems for others. Or else, all others have to pay a price for the mistakes and follies of a few. Yes, if RIM wishes to promote its products in other countries then it must follow the laws of that country. No country can proclaim itself to be progressive at the cost of its own security and that of its residents. TRA must think seriously, for the benefit of all.

    Amit Bhattacharjie, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 13:46 July 27, 2010

    ya of course it poses national secuirity and threats....but getting rid of blackberry messenger does not do any good because more than 500,000 of people is using blackberry in uae.......100,000 of them are business people. you must find a way to monitor the bbm rather than just ban the service which allows business people to communicate and send information ,pics etc. i would recommend you not to ban the bbm service but find a way which it can be monitored.

    Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 13:44 July 27, 2010

    Stopping the BBM facility is not going to do any difference to the terrorist activites. There are much available ways of communication out their than this very new chatting facility!.

    Mohammad Nabeel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 13:27 July 27, 2010

    I think it is one of those things that Etisalat or Du wants to put their hands on to increase the bills!!! they are just trying to find more ways to charge us more. They seriously feel that this is denying them the SMS money. i dunno..am seriously not happy with how this is going

    Anonymous, DUBAI, Afghanistan

  6. Added 12:56 July 27, 2010

    It is true that devices like BB can be misused by terrorists for their malicious activities, but that is no reason for banning the device. Authorities should find a way to regulate and check the services so that security is not compromised and terrorists's designs are defeated.

    MV Jose, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  7. Added 11:45 July 27, 2010

    Well i feel the messenger should go away for good, because i hate the BB users who deicde to chat on it rather than enjoy the current conversation with a real person rather than with someone on the other end of the stupid device!

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  8. Added 09:50 July 27, 2010

    if stopping the service is for the greater good ( national security ), so be it people who can not live without BB messager they can use other massaging services MSN, yahoo and google

    Wissam Massud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  9. Added 09:43 July 27, 2010

    hank god they arent getting rid of bbm as most of uae people are using BB in country.and country like uae there is nothing to do with security reason as uae is safest country in world. IF netwrok provider will stop BB service it will affect a lot in their business as most of people are having bb service.

    Ken, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  10. Added 09:26 July 27, 2010

    It does pose a real security threat, one which is far reaching, beyond national security in which one should not just assume only terrorists make use of this (kidnappers, pedophiles and the like...) That being said, however, the TRA must not over react. It would appear etisalat's 'update' should be updated. Everyone has a BB though so a mature response would be the best!

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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