BlackBerry Clashes with Governments Over Encrypted Services 🔒

BlackBerry producer Research in Motion have responded to government threats to suspend the smartphone's super-secure encrypted services.

A RIM executive has said governments are unlikely to carry through on threats because state officials themselves depend heavily on the iconic devices for communication.

"I believe they'll have trouble pulling the trigger to shut down BlackBerry," RIM Chief Technology Officer David Yach said. He added:"Most governments in the world rely on BlackBerry."

Saudi Arabia has become the latest government to threaten service blocking to curb the device on security grounds, following the United Arab Emirates.

Earlier, India's Economic Times newspaper reported that RIM had agreed to allow security authorities in the country to monitor BlackBerry services after pressure from governments worried about national security.

But Canada-based RIM said in an emailed statement that "claims" it has provided unique wireless services or access to any one country are "unfounded."

Unlike rivals Nokia and Apple, RIM controls its own networks, which handle encrypted messages through centers in Canada and the UK.

The threats of suspension come at a bad time for the company, who wanted all eyes on the unveiling of its new BlackBerry Torch model.