RIM seeks two years to address security concerns

BlackBerry maker Research in Motion wants an additional 18-24 months, up to January-end 2013, to address concerns of security agencies here that have been demanding encryption keys to its corporate email services, and the company has asked the Indian government not to ban its services in the interim period. The Canadian company has also told Indian government that it has already provided a manual solution to intercept BlackBerry Messenger services to security forces here, while adding that auto solution for this service will be provided by January 31, a government official directly aware of the development said.

RIM's reply has failed to impress India's interior ministry, telecoms department and the Intelligence Bureau, which have told the handset maker that installation as well as testing of the auto interception for BlackBerry Messenger must be completed before January 31. The home ministry has also directed RIM to adhere to its commitment that testing be completed by January-end, minutes of a recent meeting between security agencies, the Canadian company and security agencies reveal. The Intelligence Bureau said it was satisfied with the interception solution provided by RIM for its Internet services, but said it was still unable to open files in the 'jpeg format'. "The RIM representative assured that the company would provide the solution for this type of attachments also by January 31, 2011," the minutes of the meet added.