Birdnow's Aviary

May 30, 2017

Russia Bans Blackberry

Timothy Birdnow

Russia continues it's horrible slide into totalitarianism under Putin. Now the Russian government is blocking websites associated with Blackberry because the smart phone maker will not divulge client information to the Russian government.

Pravda reports:

"Russia's telecom and media watchdog Roskomnadzor has blocked all BlackBerry websites, having thus deprived owners of BlackBerry smartphones of the possibility to access their settings and personal accounts. In response to complaints, Russian officials redirect all questions to Canada, where BlackBerry devices are made.

BlackBerry smartphones are known for their security protection and thus enjoy popularity among business people and politicians. The Canadian producer of these devices refused to provide data about its users to the Russian supervisory agency. As a result, the websites associated with BlackBerry have been blocked in Russia. The move has not affected the work of the messenger service, although other services that the company offers to its clients have been restricted. Those who buy a BlackBerry phone in Moscow, for example, are now unable to activate their device or visit the applications store. In addition, searching for a lost device has become impossible too. "

[...]

"Earlier, it was reported that the Russian Ministry for Communications prepared a bill to take the processing of personal data under the control of the state. If the document is accepted, Roskomnadzor will be able to access all systems in the country that collect data from citizens. The agency will thus be able to access Russian citizens' personal data. For the time being, the agency can access only servers but not the information stored on them."

End excerpt.

In other words, Putin wants unlimited access to the network.

I am certain Barack Obama is green with jealousy; he could only dream of unlimited access to a person's phone records. Well, actually, he did that through the NSA...