Re: File this one under WTF

[Ahmad Elkhatib <ahmad.elkhatib () gmail com>]

Yes, this has been a huge story for us in the UAE. I was in the US when the
push happened so i never got the "patch". What pissed off RIM is that the
operator Etisalat claimed that it was for performance issues in switching
between 2G and 3G networks which is a blatant lie.
Just a bit of background on this SS8 earlier this year acquired a company
OCI Mobile based in Dubai that did surveillance solutions for blackberry[1].
The guy who owned OCI Mobile is the guy who got
exclusive distribution rights for RIM handsets in the Middle East in 2005
[2] under a different company EMS.

So i am not sure if SS8 was gonna just use the Etisalat users as a guinea
pig and this software would later be sold to other telecoms/governments or
what. Its also worth to note that both telecom providers in the UAE are
majority owned by one form of federal or local government entity, and the
same company controls the internet connectivity in the country. Truly WTF.




[1]
http://www.ss8.com/press-releases/2009/SS8-press-release-2009-02-04-oci-aquisition.php

<http://www.ss8.com/press-releases/2009/SS8-press-release-2009-02-04-oci-aquisition.php>
[2]http://www.ss8.com/company-management.php#roga

On Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 10:16 AM, quispiam lepidus <
quispiam.lepidus () gmail com> wrote:

> http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8161190.stm
>
> UAE Blackberry update was spyware
>
> An update for Blackberry users in the United Arab Emirates could allow
> unauthorised access to private information and e-mails.
>
> The update was prompted by a text from UAE telecoms firm Etisalat,
> suggesting it would improve performance.
>
> In the statement, RIM told customers that "Etisalat appears to have
> distributed a telecommunications surveillance application...
> independent sources have concluded that it is possible that the
> installed software could then enable unauthorised access to private or
> confidential information stored on the user's smartphone".
>
> The update has now been identified as an application developed by
> American firm SS8. The California-based company describes itself as a
> provider of "lawful electronic intercept and surveillance solutions".
>
> --------
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