Business | Telecoms

Users in the UAE vote for BlackBerry

Majority not worried about proposed monitoring of their communications

  • By Nadia Saleem, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:00 August 12, 2010
  • Gulf News

BlackBerry
  • Image Credit: Pankaj Sharma, Gulf News
  • The device's main advantage over competitors is that it runs its own operating network, allowing it to keep user data secure and out of the hands of thirdparty vendors or hackers.

Dubai: Most BlackBerry users in the UAE are not worried about having their communications monitored in case the country's security agencies are able to monitor data, Nielsen Company's new survey exclusive to Gulf News shows.

Conducted with some questions provided by Gulf News, the poll showed that 72 per cent of the users were ‘not worried' about BlackBerry use being monitored, while the rest said they were.

Radio 2: Majority of UAE residents don't mind the government monitoring their blackberry data. Malak Harb reports:

 

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* Audio supplied by Radio 2

The device's main advantage over competitors is that it runs its own operating network, allowing it to keep user data secure and out of the hands of third-party vendors or hackers.

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Additionally, the popularity of the device was reflected in the positive answer at 98 per cent from respondents on whether they would continue to use the BlackBerry if the ban is reversed or lifted.

"It is not surprising to see that BlackBerry users are clearly loyal to the brand and are not really bothered about the privacy issue i.e. even if the authorities are monitoring their activities," said Vishal Bali, Nielsen Telecom Practice Group's emerging markets' executive director. "This denotes the high appeal of the BlackBerry device in the UAE market," he said.

The company that provides consumer insight and market research to businesses conducted the survey after UAE's Telecom Regulatory Authority said that it would ban the device's services over national security issues.

Its order of suspension with an October 11 deadline prompted neighbouring Saudi Arabia into action after it too had been in discussion with manufacturer Research In Motion (RIM). Last Friday, the BlackBerry messenger was suspended for a few hours in the kingdom until talks resumed with the Canadian company. A second deadline of August 11 passed without a second disruption in service and no new deadline has been set.

Meanwhile, Indian auth-orities will hold talks with operators today to ban the service and discuss deadlines.

In the absence of BlackBerry, iPhone's maker Apple stands to gain most. Thirty-eight per cent of respondents said the first alternative would be the iPhone, while 25 per cent said they would choose Nokia.

Smartphone battle

"The battle between smartphones, it is far from over.

"Smartphones are currently less than one-fourth of the global mobile market, and Nielsen predicts they will grow rapidly to half by the end of 2011. This is an industry of immense opportunities that will witness many changes and interesting developments in the few years to come," Bali said.

Several retailers have also indicated that current customer interest suggests that it will be iPhone that will be the substitute brand for BlackBerry for the higher end consumers, while the more affordable Nokia's will serve as a substitute for the mid segments.

  • 98% voted positively for BlackBerry
  • 38% will opt for iPhone if BlackBerry is banned
  • 25% users say they would opt for Nokia

Results of a poll conducted among 100 people in the UAE from August 5 to August 8:

  • 81% think BlackBerry is important for business.
  • 49% use messenger the most from all BlackBerry services
  • 72% not worried about being monitored
  • 71% concerned about not having the service
  • 67% think they are paying the price of service misuse
  • 98% will remain loyal to BlackBerry if the ban is reversed or lifted

How concerned are you with being monitored? Will you continue to use BlackBerry Messenger if RIM settles a server in the UAE?

Comments (5)

  1. Added 16:53 August 12, 2010

    Blackberry is something required for business and we are used to it, the security measures what Nadeem Ahmed Haji From Al ain had commented is wrong, they wont be sitting and listenning to all this in there end ( i guess he is having a wrong idea of blackberry monitored). My suggestion is the whole world is going right so nop need to snatch the blackberry which we are much used too.

    Harry, Ajman, Greece

  2. Added 16:42 August 12, 2010

    ^^ You need to chill!! people need to understand that the goverment won't be monitoring anything or anyone, it's just that they'd have access incase they had a suspect or something. Seriously you think the goverment is that interested in hearing you talking on the phone with your mom or something asking her whats for lunch? Think again!

    Obada, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  3. Added 13:32 August 12, 2010

    If the UAE need to monitor the data on the blackberry - THEN SO BE IT. This is called comprise. Furthermore, to those that don't understand how the monitoring will be - it's simple, the UAE and any other country for that matter is incapable of monitoring all of it's citizens usage, however special target words or phrases will be used in connection with realising potential threats to security on a national level IE; TERRORISM. So it's not like Etisalat or the UAE security authority will be reading what we say on a daily basis. IM ALL FOR IT. Keep blackberry but monitor whatever it is you need to.

    sally, dubai, United Arab Emirates

  4. Added 12:38 August 12, 2010

    The ability is sought to crack the encryption of blackberry communications, claiming that such acces is offered by RIM to countries in North America and Europe. RIM maintains that only access is granted but not the encryption. (The company insists that it cannot even decrypt communication through its network if it wanted). What's in compromise here? well the confidence of "western" users for starters, which place RIM in a position where it needs either to assure the users that they are utilizing one of the safest networks ever, and hence expand the existing market base, in exchange of losing a substantial stake in the new markets of the MENA region. But how really secure and safe are the communications through blackberry in north america? can anyone buy that the governments there do not enjoy access and decryption assistance?

    Ahmed, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

  5. Added 11:35 August 12, 2010

    TO BE MONITERED? WHY? OKAY I CAN GIVE THIS RIGHT IF I WILL BE PERMITTED TO LISTEN OTHER PEOPLE'S CONVERSATION WITH THEIR FAMILY. WHY SHALL ANY ONE TO BE MONITERED WHILE HE/SHE IS SPEAKING WITH HIS FAMILY. THIS IS DISGUSTING, SOMETHING SIMILAR TO HAVING A PUBLIC CCTV IN YOUR BATHROOM WHICH IS VIEWED BY PASSERBY'S AT THE ROAD JUNCTION DISPLAY SCREEN. WE SHOULD NOT PERMIT ANYONE TO TEAR OUR PRIVATE LIFE. COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITIES CAN KEEP ANYONE ON OBSERVATION UPON SOME CRIMINAL DOUBT BUT THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT EVERYONE IS ON A CRIMINAL LIST AND BEING MONITORED.

    NADEEM AHMED HAJI, al ain, United Arab Emirates

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