RIM's Agreement With India Is Likely to Foreshadow Wider Government Access

Research In Motion Ltd.'s concession in giving Indian authorities access to BlackBerry e-mail and instant-messenger correspondence means it's likely to do the same for other governments, analysts said.

The agreement sets a precedent that will make it difficult for RIM to refuse countries seeking similar conditions, said Romal Shetty, executive director of the telecommunications division at KPMG's Indian unit. RIM spokesman Satchit Gayakwad declined to comment on the government accord or discuss any details of the proposal. RIM's proposal, disclosed by the Indian government yesterday, means the company may be willing to compromise on the privacy of corporate customers to placate regulators.