BlackBerry sets up server in Mumbai

After intense  pressure from the government to provide a mechanism for intercepting its messenger service, BlackBerry has finally set up its server in Mumbai.

The servers have been inspected by a team of officers and permission for direct linkage for lawful interception was expected to be issued shortly, sources in the government said.

In the recent meeting held at the Union Home Ministry, officials of the security agencies were informed that Canada-based Research in Motion (RIM) has installed the servers in Mumbai.

The home ministry has been insisting the RIM, the maker of BlackBerry, to set up its server in India to enable the security agencies to make lawful interception of its messenger services.  

When the RIM expressed its inability to set up its server, the government threatened to stop its services in India.

It may be noted that the government had been insisting that the onus of giving access
to security agencies to monitor the information on these smart phones lies with the service providers.

According to the licensing conditions, the service providers are liable to put in a mechanism to allow the security agencies to intercept any conversation or message of any subscriber whenever required.

As telecom service providers like Airtel, Vodafone, RCom, the Tatas and the government-run BSNL and MTNL are offering BlackBerry services, it is the responsibility of these operators to ensure that the security agencies get access to all the services they offer.