Lebanon will assess security concerns linked to the use of BlackBerry smartphones following the arrest of several telecoms employees suspected of spying for Israel, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) chairman said today.
Imad Hoballah said…
Lebanon will assess security concerns linked to the use of BlackBerry smartphones following the arrest of several telecoms employees suspected of spying for Israel, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) chairman said today.
Imad Hoballah said the TRA planned to begin discussions next week with Research in Motion, the manufacturer of BlackBerry smartphone.
“This is prompted by the increase of security issues that have been found with the telecommunications networks in Lebanon,” Hoballah told AFP.
“This is related to the ability of law enforcement agencies to access the data as may be required by law,” he added. “It’s basically access to the data or the servers in the country,” he said.
“We need to make an arrangement with BlackBerry or come to an understanding with them that satisfies law enforcement concerns.”
When contacted, a representative of Research In Motion refused to comment on whether the company would be talking to the Lebanese government or not. The company has ignored all questions on the escalating crisis for its business with the governments of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and India also threatening bans on its service.
