Nokia blinks, sets up Indian server; pressure on RIM

Slowly but surely Indian government is having its way. Nokia yesterday installed an Indian server to allow lawful access to its email and messenger service in the country. Inevitably, RIM will also have to submit to the government’s pressure and setup a process to allow access to Blackberry’s corporate email and messenger service in India. RIM has till end of January 2011 to give the government complete access to encrypted Blackberry data.
According to a Deccan Herald news report, yesterday Nokia India VP & MD, Mr. D Shivakumar handed a letter to the Home Secretary G K Pillai informing the government that Nokia has conformed to all the security requirements suggested by law enforcement agencies. Nokia also reportedly informed its customers that their privacy would be protected, despite fulfilling public responsibility and legal obligations.
The move from Nokia mounts increasing pressure on RIM to grant access to Blackberry enterprise mail and messenger service. Earlier in October, RIM said it was futile to impose a ban on Blackberry services in India, claiming encrypted data flow was an industry issue — not just limited to RIM or Blackberry services.
RIM is under the government’s scanner where it has to allow lawful access to Blackberry corporate email and Blackberry messenger service. It has till Jan 31 to give Indian authorities complete access.