It looks like the ability to encrypt data in BlackBerries and Skype--the same science behind the protection found in drive encryption software like AlertBoot--is grounds for banishment from the Indian subcontinent...if the companies do not play nice.
Supposedly, India's Department of Telecommunications will ask Skype and Research in Motion (RIM, the company behind the BlackBerry) for access so that India's security and intelligence agencies may tap the data. If the companies do not comply in 15 days, they could "face a ban in India." The DOT denied the story via a spokesperson. This is not the first time the makers of the BlackBerry have been at loggerheads with the Indian government. A similar situation developed back in 2008. RIM noted at that time that they had no control over decrypting data--the encryption key was created and used by the user of the device, and RIM had put itself outside the loop. Similarly, Skype uses encryption to protect all calls via their Skype network. If I recollect correctly, the German government has been having a heck of a time trying to eavesdrop on Skype calls. I seem to recall that they announced that they were successful in tapping those calls, but it sounded as if they had to use a specially-designed Trojan, essentially exploiting the fact that Skype's encrypted calls must decrypt at some point for people to hear each other.
Supposedly, India's Department of Telecommunications will ask Skype and Research in Motion (RIM, the company behind the BlackBerry) for access so that India's security and intelligence agencies may tap the data.
If the companies do not comply in 15 days, they could "face a ban in India." The DOT denied the story via a spokesperson.
This is not the first time the makers of the BlackBerry have been at loggerheads with the Indian government. A similar situation developed back in 2008. RIM noted at that time that they had no control over decrypting data--the encryption key was created and used by the user of the device, and RIM had put itself outside the loop.
Similarly, Skype uses encryption to protect all calls via their Skype network. If I recollect correctly, the German government has been having a heck of a time trying to eavesdrop on Skype calls. I seem to recall that they announced that they were successful in tapping those calls, but it sounded as if they had to use a specially-designed Trojan, essentially exploiting the fact that Skype's encrypted calls must decrypt at some point for people to hear each other.
As you can see, encryption is a powerful tool for ensuring the protection and confidentiality of data. It's the reason why so many governments use the same technology to protect their own information and seek to find a way around it when someone else uses it. If you or your company needs to protect data, you could do a whole lot worse when it comes to data security: protecting SSNs, financial account numbers, medical data, etc. can be enhanced with the right encryption software.
As you can see, encryption is a powerful tool for ensuring the protection and confidentiality of data. It's the reason why so many governments use the same technology to protect their own information and seek to find a way around it when someone else uses it.
If you or your company needs to protect data, you could do a whole lot worse when it comes to data security: protecting SSNs, financial account numbers, medical data, etc. can be enhanced with the right encryption software.
Related Articles and Sites:http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/07/02/2137207/Indian-Government-Threatens-RIM-Skype-With-Banhttp://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/200257/reports_blackberry_skype_google_face_india_data_demand.html