Blackberry allows Indian Goverment to spy on its users

[maggot_brain]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67151F20100813 This is a sad, sad day for India. No doubt the self-appointed patriots and Paki-bashers will defend this. This comment on the article sums it up for me:

Opening the encryption provided by the carriers is a ridiculous way to provide a false sense of security from “bad†uses of communications technology. There are apps for encrypting messages and voice that are easily applied at either end of communications line. Why bother compromising the general public privacy when the “really bad guys†can continue with their dirty work. -perlcapt

[achilles]

This is a great, great day for India. Blackberry and Skype (it is next) have been used aplenty by people and The terrorists aren't going to take our permission before using their BBpins to plan terror attacks against us. Privacy is not as important as national security.

[achilles]

Also, its strange that we choose to ridicule our Ministers when they actually do something as opposed to doing that when they do nothing. Are the Blackberry's of the world going to take responsibility for any untoward incident happening in India? No. It is funny that the world criticises us when we protect our interests and it is hilarious to see them defending the West when they protect their similar concerns. Why is it fine for America to monitor its users and why is it not fine for India to monitor its users?

[flamy]

Privacy is not as important as national security.

and thus it starts :regular_smile:

[someone]

maggot_brain, already you had bias in your title with the word spy. And about time, we take some strict actions, people say we need technology and be like the western world, well the first step is taken.

[Clarke]

The Govt of India can spy on whoever it wants to covertly and probably does that. They pick up individuals without any proper documentation and a year later the person is shot in an 'encounter' while escaping. They were at least being upfront about it. The problem of accountability will always be there; they are the rulers of the land and answer to no one. Someone will file a court case and those abusing the law will be long dead or relaxing abroad before the hearing happens.

[achilles]

and thus it starts :regular_smile:

Ofcourse they are going to take your permission before planning and executing the next suicide mission to kill Indians, isn't it? And you would run them over like you did with the Bambi's, isn't it?

[achilles]

I think if someone has so much problem with the government actually growing some cojones for a change, he/she can consider not using the device or migrating to Scandinavia.

[THX_1138]

maggot brain now you know why i dont post as often... this quality of discussion is about as intelligent as that at pp

[punjabi_khota]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67151F20100813 This is a sad, sad day for India. No doubt the self-appointed patriots and Paki-bashers will defend this. This comment on the article sums it up for me:

Can you explain the comment ? Does that mean that these "apps" will encypt the data before sending it via blackberry servers and then decrypt at recieving end ? Any comment about how strong these supposed apps are ?

[cowboysfan]

it is legal in india to intercept any computer communication without a court order.why would the indian government allow RIM a special exception?.ofcourse messages can be encrypted but that is not the point at all.

[punjabi_khota]

it is legal in india to intercept any computer communication without a court order.why would the indian government allow RIM a special exception?.ofcourse messages can be encrypted but that is not the point at all.

I thought that was the whole point :hmmmm2:

[cowboysfan]

i read that RIM encrypts its data and they have their servers in Canada.one Blackberry could send an encrypted email to another user. The Indian government will be able to read that email message. But, if a user sends an encrypted email messages that has an encrypted attachment, to government would be able to decrypt the email message, but not the encrypted attachment.

[maggot_brain]

maggot brain now you know why i dont post as often... this quality of discussion is about as intelligent as that at pp

This is why I don't post often either, just as I predicted the morons came out in force. Why do I even bother with this place any more?

[punjabi_khota]

This is why I don't post often either' date=' just as I predicted the morons came out in force. Why do I even bother with this place any more?[/quote'] why don't you guys smell each other's farts while you are at it ?

[Clarke]

maggot brain now you know why i dont post as often... this quality of discussion is about as intelligent as that at pp

This is why I don't post often either' date=' just as I predicted the morons came out in force. Why do I even bother with this place any more?[/quote'] now that's some liberal elitism. Seriously, how long have u both lived in India ? A govt ultimatum to Blackberry to share its means of encryption is barely a problem. It affects about a million users in the sense that they will be aware that their communications can be monitored. Compared to that, an estimated 854,000 people hold top secret security clearances in USA. Not the people affected but the number holding the clearance. That's effin huge. The govt has the resources to monitor anyone on any network if they want to. Some blackberry encryption or an end user app cannot stop it from doing so. They are simply keeping it simple to avoid unnecessary court cases in the future.

[suma25]

why don't you guys smell each other's farts while you are at it ?

:hysterical:

[Guest Gunner]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67151F20100813 This is a sad, sad day for India. No doubt the self-appointed patriots and Paki-bashers will defend this. This comment on the article sums it up for me:

maggot brain now you know why i dont post as often... this quality of discussion is about as intelligent as that at pp

I appreciate the view expressed by both of you and as you can see flamy also supported what you said. However any forum which has achilles as a member can only be just about this smart. The GOI has basically broken a fundamental principal of democracy in the free world but heyyy who cares about all that. Letzz kill dem evil pakizzz by spying on our own people. HEIL HITLER!!

[Guest Gunner]

now that's some liberal elitism. Seriously, how long have u both lived in India ? A govt ultimatum to Blackberry to share its means of encryption is barely a problem. It affects about a million users in the sense that they will be aware that their communications can be monitored. Compared to that, an estimated 854,000 people hold top secret security clearances in USA. Not the people affected but the number holding the clearance. That's effin huge. The govt has the resources to monitor anyone on any network if they want to. Some blackberry encryption or an end user app cannot stop it from doing so. They are simply keeping it simple to avoid unnecessary court cases in the future.

Why don't we maintain files on all those who go abroad or those who make/receive calls abroad etc, hey there must be only a few million of those. National security is more important than personal freedom or privacy, right?

[Clarke]

Why don't we maintain files on all those who go abroad or those who make/receive calls abroad etc' date=' hey there must be only a few million of those. National security is more important than personal freedom or privacy, right?[/quote'] :idea: What an idea sirji. Is that how shallow ur argument is ? Indian Intelligence agencies monitor threats such as Dawood & criminals such as Quattrocchi on foreign soil, u think they wouldn't track international passenger and network traffic ? Do u know about the fact that there were specific intelligence warnings before 26/11 and that the Taj & Oberoi had ignored police warnings ? Where do u think these warnings came from, there has to be intercepted communications which played a role. BTW do u expect the Maoists, the ULFA, the Indian Mujahideen, the Babbar Khalsa or the dozen other domestic terror groups to travel or make calls abroad to discuss how to attack the Commonwealth Games or some local police station ? I know the idea of freedom & privacy is very important in a democracy and all of it goes for a toss when one encounters the unconventional threats to the existence of the system. What India and some other nations face is not the Waffen SS & the Luftwaffe on an open battlefield. The enemy does not have a face or a uniform and does not announce when/where/how hard it shall strike. The thousands of daily deaths are not the norm, a single attack can send a thunderbolt down the nation's spine. These events can cause massive social turmoil, affect the communal harmony, economic growth can be hit massively, international relations go bizarre followed by wars. Does a society have to endure all this ? Let it decide for itself. When USA passed the patriot act, did it turn into a fascist society until 2006 when some provisions were rolled back ? How are you different from those right wing hate mongers who bring up pictures of Obama as Hitler (as u suggested Heil Hitler) when basic healthcare reform was being discussed in the country ?