BlackBerry reassures users of continued integrity and security of service

Research in Motion, (RIM), makers of the BlackBerry smartphone, today held last-ditch talks with Saudi Arabian authorities to avert a threatened cut-off of a key service, even as India adopted a tough stance with the Canadian company.

RIM is facing increasing pressure from governments around the world for access to its vaunted encryption system on grounds of national security. (See: RIM blows hot and cold in India as UAE, Saudi dump Blackberry)

The row, which has highlighted the access that some states seem to have as compared to others, has jeopardised services to 2 million BlackBerry users in the Gulf and India.

Indian security officials have warned the company that it would have to cease operations in India if it failed to adequately address security concerns according to a newspaper report.

The Economic Times quoted an unnamed security official saying they were very clear that any BlackBerry service that cannot be fully intercepted by Indian agencies would be discontinued.

Offering access to data is part of the telecom licensing guidelines that had to be adhered to, they say.