MHA in talks with RIM to resolve BlackBerry issue: Raja

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is holding discussions with Canada-based maker of BlackBerry, Research in Motion, in its bid to resolve the stand-off over access of data by security agencies. "The issue is being discussed by the Home Ministry with the stakeholder. I do hope it will be resolved
related stories


in the near future," Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology A Raja said on Friday.

He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of E-India 2010, a three-day event of IT and ICT, in Hyderabad.

The minister, however, refused to reveal the company's stand on the issue.

"Certain things cannot be revealed now. After the discussions, if necessary, the matter will be referred to the Government of India," he said.

BlackBerry services came under scanner following concerns expressed by security agencies in the country, which feel that the handset's services in the present format posed a serious security threat.

While the security agencies are able to lawfully intercept the short messaging services, voice data and multi-media messaging services, they are not able to make any headway on emails and messenger services, inbuilt functions of BlackBerry handsets which require a "master key" from the manufacturer for interception.

The MHA had conveyed to Department of Telecom earlier that BlackBerry will have to address its security concern by offering monitoring facility, else the popular smartphones maker will have to shut its shop in the country.