BlackBerry phone services may get stuck over security concerns

Mumbai: The government and the mobile phone operators today met for another round of talks, in an attempt to resolve security concerns over BlackBerry services.

Mobile phone operators are seeking more talks on a government directive to enable decryption of messages on BlackBerry or face termination of services altogether.

Reports citing unnamed sources had earlier said that security agencies want BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion to give them access to algorithms needed to decrypt messages.

The Cellular Operators' Association of India which represent nine mobile phone operators, said its representatives had met government officials several times and are trying to meet them again.

COAI said it wants an effective dialogue with the security agencies and the department of telecommunications.

The department of telecommunications, RIM executives and COAI representatives are also expected to meet on March 14, reports said.

While the government's concerns are genuine, RIM is unlikely to disclose its algorithms as it is their competitive advantage.

However, they would have to assure the nodal agency that any malpractice won't happen. Operators too need to have their own safeguard in place. BlackBerry had an estimated 400,000 subscribers in India.

Recently, the government had rejected the Tata Teleservices application for starting a BlackBerry service, citing security concerns. The home ministry, which vets all value-added services of telcos, told Tata Tele that the Blackberry service does not allow for lawful intervention.