Consumers lose in BlackBerry battle

Both the UAE and Research In Motion (RIM), the manufacturers of the BlackBerry smartphone, are digging in their heels over the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority's (TRA) request that it be allowed access to some communication over the company's secure system.

For now, the big losers in this battle are consumers and companies, who use the BlackBerry as a secure business tool.

RIM has insisted that it has not — and will not — give any government independent, unrestricted access to its network. So far, no evidence has been produced that it has done otherwise, despite reports to the contrary.

In the UAE, the TRA has said its decision to suspend certain BlackBerry services from October 11 is final, unless it is allowed to effectively monitor the network and intercept messages for security reasons and to prevent crime.

Individuals' right to privacy is not absolute and the government must be able to act to ensure the safety of all its citizens. But the dispute needs to be resolved quickly to protect the UAE's reputation as an easy place to do business and in the interests of consumers who need to decide on alternatives to their BlackBerry.

The TRA and RIM must quickly find a technical and legal solution that meets both their needs.