AP: UAE calls BlackBerrys a "security threat"

By on Jul 26, 2010 at 11:02 AM
mobile July 26, 2010

The AP is reporting that the United Arab Emirates has declared BlackBerry smartphones a national security risk. UAE government officials commented saying the handsets “operate beyond the jurisdiction of national laws and are open to misuse. [...] As a result of how Blackberry data is managed and stored, in their current form, certain Blackberry applications allow people to misuse the service, causing serious social, judicial and national security repercussions.” The State is referring to the relaying of data — for compression and optimization — through RIM’s BlackBerry infrastructure data centers. RIM has not released an official comment, and members of the UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority have said no decisions about the handsets future in the UAE have been made.

Thanks, Mitch.Read

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61 Comments

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  • StevieJobs

    but you dont need a bumper to use it at least.

    • http://www.anthonymclean.co.uk AntMcl

      lmao, agreed! My Blackberry’s signal doesn’t drop one bit with a death grip :)

    • iPhoneaholic

      Oh STFU about this crap already. Beat a dead horse a little more.

      • http://anthonymclean.co.uk AntMcl

        Your name says it all… ;)

  • Pablo

    UAE is a security threat because they harbor terrorists and embrace a destructive religion, but they are still allowed to exist. I don’t see how bbm and push email is hurting anyone more than their own non-stance on jihadist activity.

    • izzykareem

      who are they harboring? Every country in the world harbors “terrorists”.

    • Mike Tyson

      Your an idiot pablo and you dont know what your talking about.

      • what

        “Your and idiot” would be much more effective as “You’re an idiot”

      • Matt

        If you’re going to call someone an idiot you should at least use correct grammar.

      • Mike Tyson

        i was typing with hand while jerking off on your moms face with the other hence the typo. Thanks for catching it like your mom caught my jizz in her mouth.

      • Mike Tyson

        As you can tell your mom is still getting it on her face since i forgot to put the word one in my other post.

      • Matt

        The best you have is mom jokes?

      • Drew

        Wow, what a gross misuse of the words “you’re” and “an”. Christ, the kids of today can’t spell to save their lives!!

    • Mike Tyson

      did you get your information from foxnews. Leran to think for yourself.

      • Mike Tyson

        Hey Matt 3 people liked my comment. Your a corny loser. Next time dont be a fag dictionary by correcting people. Its called casual typing like the casual sex i have with your mom. So do what your mom does shut up take it and get the F*** out.

      • http://www.smiteahippie.com Smite A. Hippie

        ‘Leran’ to spell for yourself.

    • BBG

      Maybe you do not know about the UAE or where it is. We do not have an issue with this country. They have done us no harm and in fact have taken many of our ways and adopted them to become a more modernized, successful region.
      I have spent time in UAE, training business users on BlackBerry as a matter of a fact. These business men were from a wide range of regions. England, Egypt, France, Canada, US and UAE. They are more “Westernized” than you realize. They harbor no more terrorists than your home town, where ever that is. It is a beautiful and welcoming area. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are not anything like you have described. I can state this from experience. I walked as freely there as I do here.
      While in Dubai the issues with BB I was given were all app driven.
      People from all over the world live and work in this region, and not because they are “spied” on, but because they can live and work freely at a good rate of pay. Yes their UAE’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority has rules that may seem different than ours. They are just that, different. We are talking about a part of the world that is fast growing. Less than 30 years ago, the area was very small and much less populated. They are a experiencing growing pains. Let them figure it out. Currently they are still using BB, I am still supporting users there. Training and educating users is one way we can help this country or any country understand and use the fantastic technology we have in BlackBerry. Why not share knowledge instead of flash ignorance for what you may not know or understand.

      • Mike Tyson

        Nice reply. Been there too and its very nice.

    • Michael

      Brainwashed. Watched too much FOX News? LOL

  • http://justSkate.me netposer

    Translation. The encryption RIM uses makes it impossible for us to spy on our citizens.

    • Joolie

      DING! You hit the nail right on the head there.

    • Mike Tyson

      Nice comment and right on the money

    • Tdot34

      Yep, pretty much…. Sad that “security threat” means we can’t spy on you these days. maybe 1984 really is starting to become a reality. Wonder when the microphones in the woods are going to be installed.

  • George

    Hey UAE, calm the fuck down.

  • Decombobulatordan

    And this coming from the same nation that’s funding an Islamic mosque to be built on ground zero in NYC?

    *shakes head*

  • idiots

    wow all off you guys are so ignorant and stupid is beyond this. you are criticizing religion and apple over the issue a government has over RIM. stupid people like you is what is wrong with this world. UAE has a problem with RIM’s way of handling users data. and you guys are talking about death grips, terrorist and spying on its citizen. Maybe you guys can calm the fuck down and think logically and not out of your ass.

    • You’re the idot

      this coming from the same nation that’s funding an Islamic mosque to be built on ground zero in NYC?

      In islamic religion, building a mosque on a destroyed enemy structure, is a sign on conquer and disrespect. YOU need to wake up.

      • idiots

        what does the mosque or the religion has to do with this issue. im not a moslem or a jew or a christian. i dont even believe in religion. so i cannot judge to say that if you UAE has a problem with RIM its over religion.

        and you talking about ground zero maybe if you open your eyes and started to think maybe all the problems you are having is with your own government and not the world around you. i live in europe and every one here hates americans. y? cuz they are stupid ppl like you that are putting a nasty reputation on yourself. and you are the real terrorist attacking nations that did not have weapons of mass destruction. but everyone knows the reason for USA to attack IRAQ was for their OIL and THE BUSH administration wanted to finish what senior BUSH couldn’t do. so fucking stop being stupid with your childish thoughtless speeches.

      • Wow arrogant European eh?

        I would first like to state that I am American, and that I know people in Europe. Not every European hates Americans. Besides, you can hate people you don’t know. And also, if you think Americans give half of a damn what other people in other countries think of us, you must be delusional. We could give less of a damn because if you hate us from a distance, we can hate you too. And I thought that Americans were arrogant, I mean, who the hell speaks for EVERYONE on a continent? Like, really? And we can’t help what Bush did, we don’t control the Military, so stay the he’ll out of America’s business because we’re not worried about you. And you know what, if you think all Europeans hate Americans, you’re wrong. And you just got schooled

      • Wow arrogant European eh?

        I meant you cant hate people you don’t know and
        Stay the hell out of America’s business because it doesn’t concern you

        (stupid iPhone keyboard ruined my spelling)

      • X Glansburg

        shhhhhhh! you are being racist

      • idiots

        im raciest or ppl here calling on UAE as terrorists or disliking RIM?

      • X Glansburg

        It was meant for “your’re the idiot”…however it was a joke as you can’t be racist against a muslim because they are not a race.

      • Mike Tyson

        No it doesnt dumb ass. Get out of your mom’s basement and pick up a book and read you retard. And they are not building a mosque its a community center. Stop bringing religion and politics into a convo about technology. Take your dumb ass somewhere else.

      • Joness

        Maybe you should re-read your constitution about freedom of religion Sarah Palin…Stop trying to assume anything Muslim related is terrorism.

  • Max

    People still use Blackberrys?

    • Mike

      Ummm, yes. More than any other smartphone in the world.

    • George

      This joke has been old for months, if not years by now.

    • Peter

      You’re a moron!

  • zephxiii

    Funneling your data through a 3rd party server not under your control is not a security threat!!!!!!!

  • Peter

    This is coming from a country that doesn’t allow its citizens to drink alcohol, believe in whatever religion they want, and secretly supports terrorists. They want to clamp down on their population and now let them be free and communicate. They want to know what their people are talking about, what they’re thinking etc. People in that region want to move on and don’t want to be opressed yet their leaders are keeping them from moving forward. Blame the governments, not the people of the middle east. These poor people have to deal with stupid ridiculous rules and leaders.

    • Mike Tyson

      Another ignorant statement. In hotels alcohol is allowed. The US hasn’t legalized prostitution does that make it a terrorist state that is oppresive. Your a retard peter. And people practice whatever religion they want there. There are churches there. Stop being ignorant and jerking off to steve jobs and eric schmidts pictures and READ!

      • Drew

        Can you please refrain from calling people names (i.e. moron, idiot…retard). It really mean less coming from someone who still can’t differentiate between the words “you’re” and “your” and is becoming annoying. I think it’s time for you to shut up now….

      • Mike Tyson

        To Drew

        You are a MORON, IDIOT and a RETARD.

        Is that spelled well enough for you.

    • Joness

      Where are your facts to support the UAE supports terrorists? Yeah that’s what I thought…

    • BBG

      Unfortunately Sir you have incorrect information. You can drink in UAE and there are Baptist and even Catholic Churches to attend. To assume someone is a terrorist or supports terrorists because they come from an area unfamiliar to you is a big leap and rather unjust. It is no different than when people out side of the US assume your faith, morals or ideal without having even met you.
      The issues UAE is having with BlackBerry are a bit blown up in the media. Its change and all environments resist change to some degree. They have not halted the use of BB or put further restrictions. If you were to stop at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai you would see the same social scenes as you do in the US. Kids crusing the mall in their shinny new hot rods, girls dressed and giggling, mothers with their children playing and laughing.
      Many people assume the Mormons all have multiple wives and that woman are a sub class. This is not true, but if a news story colored the picture this way, someone from another country…say UAE may think the US is full of polygamists.
      Take some time to travel and understand what lays out side our shores. You would be pleasantly surprised.
      The Sheiks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are loved by their citizen because they are good to them. People are not trying to get out of UAE, but there are many going in.

  • Mike Tyson

    Also as you can tell I’m still taking it in the poop shoot since I forgot to capitalize the “I” in my last post.

    • Mike Tyson

      CORNY!!!!!

  • Mike Tyson

    Yes. I clown on your mom all the time.

    • Mike Tyson

      CORNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Troy

    All these headlines with ‘Blackberry’ and ‘security threat’ in them make it sound like there is a problem with the security on Blackberries.

    Steve Jobs PR department couldn’t have come up with a better headline to confuse the masses scanning through their daily news.

    A more appropriate title might read:

    UAE can’t crack Blackberry encryption; cries foul!

    Not as catchy but a tad more descriptive of the actual problem the UAE has with RIM.

  • Mike Tyson

    Also your girlfriend liked my droid X. She couldn’t get over how big it was.
    I just hope she still likes your iPhone after playing with mine so long. :)

    • vzw_and_lovin_it

      Dude what are you 14…..seriously grow up.

  • Mike Tyson

    CORNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Mike Tyson

    @ Drew. I think it’s time I bite your ear off.

  • iPwnNubs4Fun

    it really is a shame that the BGR ‘Moderators’ can’t just ban the IP Address of foul mouthed little children like this M Tyson kid.

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

    • Mike Tyson

      Someone took my name is leaving filthy posts.

      • Alex Kink

        Who let you in here?

  • http://www.twitter.com/jazzyl jazzyl

    Yes people still use BlackBerry and I’m one of them.

     Sent via BlackBerry

  • islapu

    Blackberry all day! U like the comment about them not being able to crack the encription berries use. Gives mirr meat to the story.

  • islapu

    *i* , *more* smh.

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