BlackBerry, Skype, Gmail and now 3G come under the scanner of Indian Government

[faizone 15]

The Hindu Business Line

New Delhi, June 30

After banning Chinese telecom equipment, the Government has now put Blackberry devices, Skype services and Gmail under the security scanner.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) will ask these companies to either ensure that data going through their networks be made available to security agencies in a readable format or face a ban from offering services in India.

Concerns have also been raised about the data services being offered by Tata Teleservices and Reliance Communications as security agencies are not able to snoop into these networks.

“DoT will call the representatives of Research In Motion (manufacturer of Blackberry devices) and Skype and ask them to ensure that the content going through the telecom service providers is in readable format. They have to ensure that this is implemented within 15 days failing which services that do not allow lawful interception on a real-time basis would be blocked/banned,” said an internal Government note.

Representatives of Google will be called to ensure that Gmail is also in a readable format. A Google spokesperson said that no communication on this subject has been received from the Government as yet. “We will comment if and when we get any letter from the DoT,” the spokesperson said.

The Government has also decided to amend the IT laws to make it mandatory for such foreign companies that do not require a local licence to provide all the data required by Indian law enforcement agencies. Such a law would force companies such as Skype to give complete access to their networks or set up a local server in India to allow security agencies to track content.

These decisions were taken at a recent meeting between the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Intelligence Bureau, the DoT and the National Technical Research Organisation — a scientific organisation under the National Security Advisor.

The basic problem is that the data services being offered by these companies are highly encrypted because of which Indian security agencies are finding it difficult to keep a watch over the content being transmitted through them.

Similar concerns were raised against Blackberry devices two years ago but the issue was put on the backburner. However, Government sources indicated that this time the concerns of the intelligence agencies will have to be addressed with the MHA pushing for a secure communication network.

Edited July 1, 2010 by Arun

[tanveer 59]

I thought there was some pakistan like fatwa.

[sgiitk 32]

I think the security chaps are being paranoid. I wish someone ticks them off as in the 26/11 when the judge said that scribbled maps in the days of GPS are .....

Sorry I had put in the wrong date. Thanks tanveer

Edited July 2, 2010 by sgiitk

[tanveer 59]

26/11 you mean?

[kshah 452]

Why create so much of noise? Let government do its job. Not necessary that government think exactly the way we think. They have right to intercept and they can ask for compliance.

[raccoon 53]

This is too much. Under the pretext of security, all kinds of intrusions on privacy are being made. A very dangerous trend...

[parin 857]

Intact a good move from govorment

Good for our security

[HetalDP 947]

hahaha Privacy is a Joke. Forget it. Google and Yahoo knows more then our Wife about us.

And Let Do Government their Jog.

USA Canadian German and Chinese have Strict Norms and if they can comply them why can not to US.

[kesav 127]

Well said my dear friend.

Privacy in electronified world is a cruel joke.

In this e-world, you're filmed 24X7. There will be a time when cameras will film you even in public toilets.

Govt. has every right for the lawful interception of communication.

It is also easy for the companies to comply with if they've will to do it.

What I don't like from Govt. is sometimes they show partiality wrt western companies against eastern companies.

That is totally meaningless and unjustifiable.

If chinese/korean/japanese companies can install spyware certianly US/Europe companies can do.

[kshah 452]

hahaha Privacy is a Joke. Forget it. Google and Yahoo knows more then our Wife about us.

And Let Do Government their Jog.

USA Canadian German and Chinese have Strict Norms and if they can comply them why can not to US.

Very well said. We Indian has tendency to start crying is some thing is done against US or Europe. We are our own enemies.

[commonman 228]

At least this seems to indicate that Skype is fully legal in India, at least as of now.

[petar 15]

The Day isnt Far when every new born baby will be tagged with a Chip & will be tracked thru entire life span.!!

matrix will no longer be Sci-Fi.!!

[chintan1 6]

AFAIK ...even earlier also Blackberry was under scanner for there Data Services .....

It's good to know government is also caring for privacy ...

[ami1 237]

This is completely mindless !

Blackberries are FIPS compliant and will generate a private certificate on the handsets and all communication will be encrypted with the receiving parties public certificate and hence can only be decrypted by their own pvt certificate. Blackberry servers will only have everyone's public certificates which they can provide to the government so it can't help the government decrypt anything. If i encrypt it with your public certificate then only you can decrypt it using your private certificate.

Similarly for skype or gmail etc if you use PKI like GPG or PGP etc. then google or skype can't do anything to help govt decrypt it.

Besides, how many terrorists will use BES/BIS ? They will rather use untraceable stolen sim cards or satphones. And some arcane email provider instead of GMAIL - they're not looking for loads of features ! and anyway they'll send mails encrypted by GPG or any other encryption rather than depend on email provider. In fact they don't only send the mails - just save it in draft folder and other guy logs in to same ID and reads it. So the content remains in some other country and doesn't get transmitted across countries at all.

This is just a waste of time & money - like banning open WIFI because terrorists sent a mail claiming credit for bombings through someone's WIFI in Mumbai. Its not stopping the bombing - only the claiming credit. Which will be done by calling a newspaper or sending a postcard if everything else was banned.

Bombs & Guns are already banned but terrorists are still getting those. Might as well ban cars since terrorists use it. or water since terrorists survive by drinking it !

Such laws do not stop unlawful people. Only create problems for the innocent population. Govt doesn't apply its mind to solving any problem - just want to be seen as doing something. Preferably, something which creates a problem to someone's profit and would require some good old corruption to solve.

[chitshar 25]

well said i completely agree with you.

[kesav 127]

Launch 3G services only if they can be monitored: Home Ministry

NEW DELHI: The Intelligence Bureau wants all mobile phone companies to demonstrate that third generation (3G) services can be monitored, intercepted

and blocked before they begin offering high-end service on this platform.

Indian mobile phone firms are slated to offer 3G services early next year and the government has committed to handing over the requisite airwaves to winners in the recently concluded auction process by September. The demand by IB is likely to delay the rollout of 3G, which involves services such as video conferencing on mobiles, high speed internet and interactive gaming.

Security agencies including the IB has warned that they currently cannot monitor services such as internet telephony offered by companies such as Skype, chat offered by Google Talk and even video calls, if customers avail these on their mobile handsets after the launch of 3G. Put simply, Indian intelligence agencies do not possess the capabilities to monitor any high-speed internet applications that 3G will offer to mobile customers.

Currently, monitoring mechanisms are in place for similar services if offered using 2G mobile telecom services. All mobile services in the country offered by private operators are done using 2G airwaves.

Just last week, acting on orders from security agencies, the telecoms department had directed state-owned telcos BSNL and MTNL to provide lawful interception mechanisms for all 3G voice and data services on their networks within 15 days.

"Till a solution is arrived in this regard, all telecom service providers may kindly be directed not to provide 3G services, particularly in J&K," adds the home ministry’s latest communication to the telecoms department.

In a related development, the home ministry has also convened a meeting with all telecom operators offering BlackBerry services on Thursday address security concerns associated with encrypted data sent on such devices. The home ministry has repeatedly warned BlackBerry maker- Canada’s Research In Motion (RIM) - that services on these handsets that cannot be monitored will be shut down.

But a compromise solution offered by RIM last month, which would allow security agencies to track emails without sharing encryption details, is

currently being tested by the IB. If these tests allow interception of services, a standoff will be averted. While India has demanded that RIM share encryption keys to track all BlackBerry services, the Canadian company last week expressed its inability, saying even it could not read encrypted information.

The Intelligence Bureau had recently asked the telecom department to stop Nokia’s popular messaging services in India until they can monitored, another sign of the growing discomfort of the country’s spooks with similar offerings they view as suspect from a security angle.

As part of a compromise solution offered to the government last week, the Canadian firm offered a way out for security agencies to track corporate email without sharing encryption details. It told the telecom department that it would provide user details on BlackBerry enterprise servers located at corporate premises that store emails in decrypted form and said security agencies could approach the companies and retrieve the information.

The BlackBerry maker also said it would work with mobile phone firms to open up access to all consumer emails within 15 days, adding that it would be developing tools in six to eight months to allow monitoring of its popular Blackberry Messenger chat service. But the security agencies see this as only partly addressing their concerns as key services like business email would still remain indecipherable due to strong encryption. The Intelligence Bureau is testing "decompression solutions" offered by BlackBerry to help it track messaging and e-mail services.

A very good by Home Ministry.

:clap:

It's better to stop the service at start if it cannot be intercepted rather than stopping it after it has reached few million.

Hope all the operators will install necessary equipments to allow proper and meaningful interceptions before the start of any applications.

Blackberry(RIM) is unnecessarily dragging its feet too long. When it can comply with US,CANADA, Saudi Arabia rules, it must comply with Indian security rules.

Come on my dear friends, interceptions cannot stop terrorism completely but it'll certainly work as deterrence.

There exist nothing called zero terrorism but humanity should always move towards and aim at it.

Edited August 10, 2010 by kesav

[ani_meher 42]

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both. - Benjamin Franklin

[kesav 127]

Any society that would give up a little security to gain a little liberty will deserve neither and lose both

[tanveer 59]

That was profound and true to a large extent kesav

[HetalDP 947]

If Blackberry can Provide Data to USA and Canada why can not to us

Our Requirement is Legit

see UAE, Saudi, Indonesia and now German Wants the same we Demanded and all These countries are afraid of USA Spy.

[HetalDP 947]

fami1

NO NO its not about Calls Its about Email Service

Only Public Certificate can Encrypt and only Private Certificate can Decrypt

Only Private Certificate can Sign and Only Public Certificate can Verify it

Google use SSL only for PC to Server Data Channel but Server still have Unsecured Data Readable to Google. Skype is VoIP. and uses Standard G.703 and G.711u very easily trappable.

Gizmo5 use G711u Protocol.

Problem is of Trappable Mobile Voice. Security Agency can any time Block Data and Force the User to use Proper Voice Channel and then Trap Voice call.

Actual Problem is USA Spy working in india using Blackberry Enterprise Service of the Server Located in USA. you know how can Obama use Blackberry if its Tracable by Canadian Head Quarters. so if USA have Dedicated Server. Why can not India

[afzal_6339 0]

Source: http://business-standard.com/india/news/home-ministry-asks-dot-to-stop-all-3g-services/404078/

Says nothing should move until system is in place to enable full tapping of lines.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to direct service providers to stop the operation of all third generation (3G) mobile services across the country, “particularly in Jammu & Kashmir”, till the infrastructure to enable full tapping of lines is put in place.

Noting BSNL’s launch of 3G services in Jammu, the MHA said apart from problems in interception of video calls, the existing lawful tapping infrastructure is severely limited in providing usable intercepts.

“The feasibility of blocking all such services for which there is no demonstrated monitoring capability to provide lawful interception may be explored by DoT. Till a solution is arrived, all telecom service providers may be directed not to provide 3G services, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir,” the MHA said in a communication to Telecom Secretary P J Thomas.

This issue had come up last year, too, when DoT had asked BSNL and MTNL to have call monitoring facilities to enable security agencies to intercept the calls in 3G mobile services.

BSNL had launched 3G services in Jammu last month and was planning to expand it. 3G mobile services allow mobile users to access the internet and download data at a much faster pace than second generation (2G) mobile services. 3G support services such as emails, chats, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services such as Skype, besides video calls, the MHA letter noted.

BSNL had demonstrated its interception facilities in Jammu, which the security agencies found was unable to offer intercepts of the widely used internet services on account of their proprietary encryptions/protocols, according to the communication.

Both BSNL and MTNL, the two state-owned telecom companies, had launched 3G services ahead of private players (they were allotted the spectrum two years earlier). BSNL has a 3G subscriber base of about 1.5 million, while MTNL has about 400,000 subscribers. MTNL operates in Delhi and Mumbai, while BSNL operates in the rest of the country.

HANG UP

# MHA says infrastructure not in place to intercept video calls

# Only BSNL and MTNL offer 3G services currently

# BSNL has a 3G subscriber base of 1.5 million, MTNL has 400,000 subscribers

# Private players to launch 3G by end of 2010 or early 2011

# Government earned over Rs 1 lakh crore from 3G and BWA auctions recently

The issue comes at a time when DoT is already in negotiations with Research in Motion (RIM), the makers of BlackBerry, for a solution to intercept BlackBerry data. Here, too, the security agencies had expressed concerns on their inability to do this. RIM has said it would make the PIN and IMEI numbers of individual BlackBerry phones and IP addresses of BlackBerry enterprise servers available to the security agencies. However, it said, the company does not have any access to the master key, as it is generated only by the customer.

The government had recently earned Rs 67,700 crore from the sale of 3G spectrum and Rs 38,500 crore from that of broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum. This was the first time an e-auction was conducted in India for spectrum. The 3G spectrum to private companies was to be allotted on September 1, with commercial launch possible by the end of this year or early next year.

[Shabz 8]

Aisa karte hai hum sub apne mobile phek dete hai aur kabbotar paal lete hai usi se message bheja karege

The whole world is going forward and our illiterate leaders want to push us backwards

[kshah 452]

Why object all government actions? Rim is providing everything to us and Canadian government why not our own Indian government?

They earn from us so must respect law of land. We must come out of psych that what ever our government do is wrong. Let's not be our own enemy.

[Arun 795]

Government gives BlackBerry August 31 deadline

ibnlive.com

Posted on Aug 12, 2010 at 17:58

The government has given Research in Motion and mobile service providers an August 31 deadline to come up with technical solutions to assuage India's security concerns over BlackBerry services.

Earlier, BlackBerry maker Research in Motion skipped a crucial meeting with the government. Vodafone and Airtel were also absent at the meeting.

The mobile service providers say that they were not invited to the meeting.

The meeting, called to discuss India's security concerns over BlackBerry's encrypted messaging service, was supposed to last for 45 minutes, but ended in only 15 minutes.

Officials from the Intelligence Bureau, National Technical Research Organisation, BSNL and Department of Telecommunications and the Home Ministry attended the meeting. Home Ministry officials said the meeting remained inconclusive.

While RIM was not present at the meeting, RIM Vice President Robert E Crow met the Home Minister P Chidambaram to discuss the BlackBerry deadlock.

The government will review the situation after August 31 and decide on restricting BlackBerry's messenger and enterprise email services.

If a shutdown takes effect, BlackBerry users in India would only be able to use the devices for phone calls and Internet browsing.

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone are the largest providers of BlackBerry services in India.

India, recently a growing market for RIM, fears the BlackBerry could provide cover for subversive activities. In 2008, a Pakistani-based terrorist group used mobile and satellite phones to coordinate attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people.

While national security is India's main concern, Middle Eastern countries are concerned that BlackBerry users may spread pornography or violate restrictions on contact between unrelated men and women.