Bahrain Continues to Use BlackBerry Services

BlackBerry services would not be suspended in Bahrain, said a spokesman of the kingdom’s telecom watchdog the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA). Abdulelah Abdulla said the TRA has 'no intention to block BlackBerry services in Bahrain', following an announcement by the UAE yesterday (August 1) that it would halt BlackBerry services in October due to security fears. Saudi Arabia also announced its decision to ban BlackBerry Messenger services for the same reason yesterday. The move by the UAE follows a warning from Bahrain in April against using BlackBerry Messenger software to distribute local news. India raised security concerns about the service last week. The UAE said it would suspend BlackBerry Messenger, e-mail and web browser services on October 11, citing security concerns about encrypted data it cannot monitor. The move will affect half a million users, as well as visitors to the GCC state. It's a final decision, but we are continuing discussions with them (BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion),' said UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) director-general Mohammed Al Ghanem.

'Censorship has got nothing to do with this. What we are talking about is suspension due to the lack of compliance with UAE telecommunications regulations.' The UAE objects to BlackBerry data being exported offshore and managed by a 'foreign, commercial operation'. The regulator said only BlackBerry data services operated that way. 'Today's decision is based on the fact that, in their current form, certain BlackBerry services allow users to act without any legal accountability, causing judicial, social and national security concerns for the UAE,' the UAE TRA said. Al Ghanem said the suspension would also apply to BlackBerry users with foreign telephone numbers, closing one potential loophole. The suspension of BlackBerry Messenger, e-mail and web browsing services comes after attempts dating back to 2007 to bring the service into line with regulations, the UAE's TRA said. State-controlled Saudi Telecom Company (STC) also confirmed the kingdom's regulator had imposed a ban on BlackBerry Messenger services, according to a board member speaking on Al Arabiya television. 'The UAE took a bolder step than Saudi Arabia whereas Saudi is only banning one, the messenger,' said board member Abdulrahman Mazi. 'I hope this is only a kind of pressure on Research In Motion (RIM) to take steps to provide information when needed.' Sources said the Saudi regulator had ordered the freeze effective this month. – Trade Arabia