Business | Telecoms

US comments on BlackBerry ban contradictory: UAE envoy

UAE is asking for the same regulatory compliance that BlackBerry grants the US, says UAE Ambassador to the US

  • WAM & AFP
  • Published: 00:21 August 3, 2010

Retailers in the UAE fear a drop in BlackBerry sales
  • Image Credit: Karen Dias/Gulf News
  • The UAE said on Sunday that it will halt key BlackBerry services that breach laws and raise security concerns
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Washington: Yousuf Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the United States, has described the US State Department's comments on the UAE's announcement to suspend certain BlackBerry services from October 11 as "disappointing and contradict the US Government's own approach to telecommunications regulation".

"In fact, the UAE is exercising its sovereign rights and is asking for exactly the same regulatory compliance - and with the same principals of judicial and regulatory oversight - that BlackBerry grants the US and other governments and nothing more," he said.

Al Otaiba added by saying: "Importantly, the UAE requires compliance for the very same reasons as the US: to protect national security and to assist in law enforcement. It is regrettable that after several years of discussions, BlackBerry is still not compliant with UAE regulatory requirements even as it complies with similar policies in other countries."

US 'disappointed' at BlackBerry ban

The United States is "disappointed" at the decision by the UAE to halt key BlackBerry messaging services because of security concerns, the State Department said on Monday, reports AFP from Washington.

"We are disappointed at this announcement," State Department  spokesperson Crowley told reporters. "We will be clarifying with the UAE" the reasons for announcement.

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"It sets a dangerous precedent," said Crowley.

The UAE said on Sunday that it will halt key BlackBerry services that breach laws and raise security concerns.

The suspension would start on October 11 and last until a legal solution was reached, the UAE's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said in a statement.

The decision was taken "after failing to make progress in repeated attempts to make BlackBerry services compatible" with the Gulf state's legislation.

"Due to its technical nature, some BlackBerry services, like the messenger, email, and web browsing, remain beyond the implementation of local laws," the TRA said.

 

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Comments (11)

  1. Added 18:04 August 3, 2010

    I would always give priority to national security and losses that may incur to public and government wealth due to frauds. Zero-tolerance has made UAE survive through all the terrorism loopholes. People may regret of losing their value, Owners, themselves may become a victim of such non-compliances through their own assets..

    Nazim, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

  2. Added 16:23 August 3, 2010

    We as a resident of UAE should stop using black berry beacause this is the matter of our own security. Beware , and stop using black berry. This is the right of UAE to get all the information passing through black berry.

    Nasser, Al ain, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 14:40 August 3, 2010

    All news and opinion pages talked about the current RIM/Blackberry data routing as "against the law" but I have yet to find any direct reference to a particular law that this setup has gone against. It would be ideal if someone would indeed show us laymen the section of the UAE law that covers this. And why now? I presume that RIM and the telecoms went through screening and review before they introduced the service in the country. Why wasn't this recommended back then? Why was this issue undisclosed for 2 years as du and etisalat attracted hundreds of people to buy Blackberries? My BB prevents me from accessing sites that are normally banned in the UAE, regardless of whether I'm using my UAE network or roaming around the world. I think this was a good call which I presumed was done at an early planning stage. Any medium of communication is prone to abuse... not just the BlackBerry. The only thing that concerns me is that all of the reasons to clamp down on BB is based on terms like "potential", "may", "can be"... theoretical scenarios. I wish someone would give a definite word on how it can actually harm me before I am forced to spend another couple of thousand dirhams on something that they might actually ban again in the future.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 14:31 August 3, 2010

    I welcome the ban. The reason for many youngsters to buy this phone is it's "unlimited" usage. When a country want to bring a regulation, better you co-operate with it. Invested lot of money in it is not an excuse.

    Rajeesh, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 14:17 August 3, 2010

    The correct decision taken by UAE gorenment. Whatever was going on B.B most of us know espcially in youth. The US should not interfare in interior matters of UAE as it has full right to take any decision for safety and security.

    Anonymous, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

  6. Added 14:12 August 3, 2010

    Though I am a BB user & love it, I support this decision by TRA. Especially if BB is compliant with regulations in other countries, then why not UAE?? UAE has every right to protect its national interests, & does not need to justify any steps it takes to do so. It might be inconvenient in the short term, but in the long term its in the benefit of everyone who lives here.

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  7. Added 13:42 August 3, 2010

    I am quiet surprised to hear that parents buy their children blackberry phones. A simple cheap and stable device would suffice to keep in touch with one another, or use it during emergencies. The blackberry phones, in my view - started off targeting the elite and people who can thriflty spend money. In an age, where children should be spending reading fun books,talking to people, aquiring skills and hobbies - they are glued to devices like backberry. This device targets a different crowd of people - all the more reason why the phones and services it provides are costly. Its my opinion not to bring naive children into this. Now, after the ban - even these very children seem worried and anxious - all uncalled for. And If the ban is causing so much of a problem, may be instead of banning the service, UAE government should try new engineering systems capable of tracking and scrutinising.

    Romi Sebastian, Doha, Qatar

  8. Added 13:24 August 3, 2010

    What would happen to Blackberry holders with a non-UAE sim card ? For example, my company supplies its Dubai based employees with blackberries with UK Vodafone SIM cards so it is always in roaming mode, is that also going to stop working ?

    Shadi, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  9. Added 12:23 August 3, 2010

    My comment is as a parent. My child and all her friends have Blackberry's. They send messages to eachother. Non-political, non-abusive, funny, silly, happy girl messages. I paid a lot for this phone, not so long ago and so did all the other parents, what are we supposed to do? Everything already costs so much, now I have to get her a new phone?!? Will we get any compensation from Blackberry if we take the phones back?

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  10. Added 11:11 August 3, 2010

    The UAE has every right to take steps in deems necesary for its national interests. The B.B communication system is a potential risk and can be used by people who perform illigal activities like terrorism and fraud. As for the reaction by the US, it seems like a double standard from their end. Didn't they pass the Patriot act after sep. 11 that allows authorities to listen to peoples conversations and read their emails?

    Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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