Even after RIM confirmed the software was an interceptor, Mr. VP here thinks everyone is stupid and puts this out: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/562779-exclusive-blackberry-patch-was-not-for-spying-claims-etisalat
<http://www.arabianbusiness.com/562779-exclusive-blackberry-patch-was-not-for-spying-claims-etisalat>So its either they were told by SS8 this patch is for making network performance better and they are idiots who just took it for granted, or they know its an interceptor and continue to lie even though RIM confirmed it in a statement. I am not sure which is worse ! -Ahmad On Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 6:17 PM, Ahmad Elkhatib <[email protected]>wrote: > 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 < > [email protected]> 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". >> >> -------- >> _______________________________________________ >> Fun and Misc security discussion for OT posts. >> https://linuxbox.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/funsec >> Note: funsec is a public and open mailing list. >> > >
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