In a New York Times article last month, the Indian government said that it would block encrypted BlackBerry corporate email and messenger services if wireless companies did not enable law enforcement authorities to monitor these messagers. The ultimatum suggested that Indian officials had reached an impasse after weeks of negotiation with Research In Motion, the Canadian company that makes and provides services for the popular hand-held devices.
Previously the United Arab Emirates had announced that it was blocking services but losing accress to the Indian wireless market would be far more significant since India is one of the fastest growing wireless markets and has an estimated one million Blackberry users.
In the terrorist attack in Mumbai, in November 2008, some of the terrorists used internet-based phone systems to speak to their handlers in Pakistan. Sine then officials have been more adamant about gaining access to encrypted commubnications.
Officials in India have maintained that the government has the right to monitor all voice and data communications in an unencrypted form under the present laws governing wireless companies . The Canadian company, R.I.M. states that it maintains a consistent global standard for lawful access and does not include special deals for specific countries.