DEPUTY Communications Minister Obed Bapela yesterday called for the decryption of BlackBerry-type messenger services such as BBMs amid an increase in cyber crime in this space.
Speaking at the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference in East London, Eastern Cape, the deputy minister said South Africa might have to follow Britain and Saudi Arabia for a decryption system, if crimes were committed using social messenger services.
It follows recent calls by MPs in the United Kingdom for a BlackBerry Messenger block following the London riots, which then spread to other cities. The police accessed BlackBerry messages to thwart planned riots.
Bapela quickly assured the audience that government's intention would not be to spy on local citizens. He said government would aim to tap into this prevention policy once a crime was committed, or potential threats came about.
The deputy minister also highlighted a need for a minimum of 5 megabytes per second for broadband speed "to move the country forward". The Department of Communications has pledged broadband access for all by 2020.
Call for BBM decryption
DEPUTY Communications Minister Obed Bapela yesterday called for the decryption of BlackBerry-type messenger services such as BBMs amid an increase in cyber crime in this space.
Speaking at the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference in East London, Eastern Cape, the deputy minister said South Africa might have to follow Britain and Saudi Arabia for a decryption system, if crimes were committed using social messenger services.
It follows recent calls by MPs in the United Kingdom for a BlackBerry Messenger block following the London riots, which then spread to other cities. The police accessed BlackBerry messages to thwart planned riots.
Bapela quickly assured the audience that government's intention would not be to spy on local citizens. He said government would aim to tap into this prevention policy once a crime was committed, or potential threats came about.
The deputy minister also highlighted a need for a minimum of 5 megabytes per second for broadband speed "to move the country forward". The Department of Communications has pledged broadband access for all by 2020.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos