RIM complains Apple, Google exploiting India security woes
updated 04:40 pm EST, Tue February 22, 2011
RIM says Apple and Google benefit from India
RIM in remarks to its corporate customers said it was being unfairly singled out as part of Indian government scrutiny over access to e-mail. The Canadian firm argued that Apple, Google, Microsoft, Nokia and others were using the standoff over government demands to snoop on e-mail as a way of drumming up market share. It implied that Android and iPhone were getting converts from those worried the BlackBerry might be unusable in the country.
The company stressed that the January 31 deadline had been for home services, not work. Other companies also weren't immune and would have to face similar attention at some point, RIM insisted.
Most of the attention on the BlackBerry has been unique to its service despite the claims. Because the encryption keys are only created and stored on either end of a mail transaction, neither the company nor RIM can intercept the keys and crack them. Other companies' systems, most of which use typical Exchange mail, aren't as secure but also won't face the same impasse RIM has had.
Apple has had relatively little traction in India due to high prices, but Android may gain ground through a lower floor for device costs. BlackBerry devices have been available for cheap owing to RIM's willingness to support prepaid voice and data.
