After spyware fails, UAE gives up and bans Blackberries

David G. Koontz david_koontz at xtra.co.nz
Sun Aug 1 23:10:51 EDT 2010


http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/08/after-spyware-failed-uae-gives-up-and-bans-blackberries.ars
By John Timmer


Discussing in general terms RIM's Blackberry email server connections to
their servers in Canada's encryption resistance to United Arab Emirates
monitoring efforts when used by enterprise customers (bankers).

>From the article:

  Why the apparent ire is focused on the devices themselves rather than
  the general approach isn't clear. An SSL connection to an offshore e-mail
  server would seem to create just as much trouble as RIM's approach, but
  there don't seem to be any efforts afoot to clamp down on other
  smartphone platforms.

The first thing that comes to mind is SSL MITM interception.  Has the UAE
compelled Etisalat to aid in MITM?

You might expect a government to be a bit more subtle dancing around
plausible deniability.  Enough concerns and the 'marks' just may develop
alternative means.


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