After BlackBerry, government targets Google, Skype

India may shut down Google and Skype internet-based messaging services over security concerns, London's the Financial Times reported today. The government has already threatened a similar crackdown on BlackBerry services.

The Financial Times quoted from the minutes of a 12 July meeting between telecommunication ministry security officials and operator associations to look at possible solutions to "intercept and monitor" encrypted communications.

"There was consensus that there is more than one type of service for which solutions are to be explored. Some of them are BlackBerry, Skype, Google etc," according to the department's minutes. "It was decided first to undertake the issue of BlackBerry and then the other services."

On Thursday, the Indian government became the latest of several nations that have threatened to cut off Research In Motion's encrypted BlackBerry email and instant messaging services if the Canadian company does not address national security concerns. It has set a 31 Aug deadline for RIM.

It wants access in a readable format to encrypted BlackBerry communication, on grounds it could be used by militants. Pakistani-based militants used mobile and satellite phones in the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people.

India's demands follow a deal with Saudi Arabia, where RIM has reportedly agreed to give authorities codes for BlackBerry Messenger users. The United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Algeria are also seeking similar access.