Bebe Akinboade
You Are Here

BLACKBERRY FACES BAN IN NIGERIA

Spread the love

Blackberry services could be at risk of being banned
in the country as a new regulation by the Nigerian Communications Commission,
NCC, will run counter to the technical operating standards of the phone’s
distinct network. Our source
gathered yesterday that the telecoms regulator was working on a regulation,
which would make it mandatory for any licensee in the nation’s telecoms market
to provide access to its communications facilities for necessary interception
by the law enforcement agencies.

To be called ‘Lawful interception of communications
regulations”, the regulation, which is currently at the draft stage, is based
on the need to provide a legal and regulatory framework for the lawful
interception of communications in Nigeria and the collection and disclosure of
intercepted communication.

It will also specify the nature and types of
communications to be intercepted; prescribe penalties for noncompliance with
the regulations; provide a notification to the commission of all warrants
issued, amended, renewed or cancelled under the regulations as well as ensure
the privacy of subscribers as contained in the Nigerian constitution. It was
gathered that Section 13 of the regulation Protected or Encrypted
Communications will run counter to the technical operations of Blackberry.

By their designs and unlike other mobile devices,
Blackberry messages are encrypted and where criminal investigation is required,
the law enforcement agents will face denial of access to Blackberry network.

The NCC’s
current move was in line with strategic measures of the Federal Government to
ensure maximum national security by providing a legal framework that empowers
the law enforcements agencies to access any licensed communication network in
the country.

bebeakinboade
Latest posts by bebeakinboade (see all)

Related Posts