BlackBerry row: COAI defends RIM

HYDERABAD: BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) today received support from Cellular Operators Association of India ( COAI) on the decryption of messages issue that has raised questions about the survival of the Canada-based mobile maker's survival in dilemma in India.

Rajan S Matthews, director-general, COIA said it is very difficult to provide help to the Government to decrypt messages which run into millions.

"If the Government wants to intercept messages, we (operators) provide with the bit string information. The Government must develop the expertise to decrypt messages. Encryption and decryption is government responsibilities. Operator cannot provide text messages to the Government," he told PTI on the sidelines a workshop on "Radiation from mobile towers.

He said all the issues of BlackBerry except the enterprising mail have been resolved.

According to Matthews without the enterprise cooperation, which holds one part of the key, decryption is not possible.

Earlier India had raised concerns saying that BlackBerry's services could be used by anti-social elements to stir social instability.

Ministry of Home Affairs has expressed reservations over the encrypted data through BlackBerry mobile phones and has been asking for a decryption solution for its corporate mails and messenger services.