All telecommunication service providers in Inidia are now required by the government to open their data so that it can be monitored to ensure that any security threats are discovered. Two of these service providers are Skype Technologies SA and Google Inc. In order for the information passed through these companies to be monitored by local Indian agencies, servers must be installed in the country. Skype and Google both need to have their data open for scrutinizing within two months.
This development is not quite new in countries such as India and Saudi Arabia. BlackBerry service provider RIM, Research in Motion, was influenced to offer technical solutions to get around their heavily encrypted service by the threat of a ban from the government. Companies such as RIM, Skype Technologies SA, and Google Inc. are likely to give in to the government because of India's imminent launch of broadband wireless Internet service, an opportunity potentially very lucrative for the aforementioned companies.
The topic of personal privacy is undoubtedly a concern for these companies. RIM officials believe their strong encryption is crucial to attract international business. It is predicted that the telecommunication service providers will raise a strong resistance against the government. The government must manage a balance between national security and privacy concerns, a balance that seems to be very difficult to obtain.
Claire, your post raises more questions in my mind. If RIM, Skype and Google are "likely to give in", how is it that they "will raise a strong resistance against the government." Is the Indian government likely to compromise, or could this give Indian tech companies an advantage? Please also remember to provide the link/citation for the article you discuss in your post, so that readers (including myself) will be able to visit the original source.
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