I just said a new country jumps on the BlackBerry security concerns bandwagon daily. So lets summarize who has expressed concerns:
I don’t believe I have missed anyone, but I am sure this list will grow tomorrow. At some point you have to wonder what percent of RIM’s market is made up across these five countries. It is almost like a game of chicken, on one side your customer’s privacy on the other your revenue stream. Something tells me that this game will continue until RIM bows to pressure. Privacy does have a cost and RIM is about to define exactly what that cost is.
However, it is very important to keep in mind that EVERYTHING that makes a BlackBerry a BlackBerry is wrapped up in this issue. People put up with last generation’s UI because they get this security. Additionally, you know that the basics are covered; un-tampered with; and that NOBODY is reading your mail. With the new assertion that the U.S. Federal Government can and will get a court order dents this assertion just a tiny bit, but its not really that damaging. However, if RIM agrees to open up BlackBerry to indiscriminate rummaging by just any old government out there, especially ones with less than stellar records on abusing personal rights, then it may be a blow that they can never recover from. Because then, how are they different than any other platform? They won’t be, and they will still have last generation’s UI and technology. Will RIM pull-in their world territory to stay true and pure or will they be forced to cave to policies of potential abuse? This may end up being life or death for them, whichever way they choose. How do you see this going?