RIM offers industry forum to solve Indian disbute

In its latest efforts to stave off a ban by the Indian government, Research in Motion has offered to set up an industry forum that would resolve the security concerns associated with its BlackBerry handsets. RIM was given until August 31 to resolve the issue and is now extending an offer to the government. It would focus on enabling legal access to data but would still safeguard "legitimate information security needs" for companies and other groups operating in the country.

The forum aims to work closely with the Indian government and develop recommendations for policies and processes to prevent the misuse of strong encryption technologies while preserving social benefits in the region, RIM said.

Indian officials sent a notice to local mobile operators ordering them to ensure BlackBerry messages can be monitored by security agencies or otherwise cut services. The country's Home Secretary GK Pillai is due to make a final decision on the ban on Monday, ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Whether the security agency has accepted RIM's offer to set up the forum has not been revealed.

By Electronista Staff