UAE govt finds more ways to abuse privacy, BlackBerry phone becomes a spy

The largest wireless operator in the Middle East and Africa Etisalat advised its customers in UAE to update their BlackBerry phones with the new application which in fact turned out spy software, as it was later reported by the device maker Research in Motion Ltd. UAE users of the device were notified in the message sent by the telecom operator that they need to follow a link to update their phones. Customers who did so later complained that the batteries on their phones were quickly drained by the application.

Etisalat explained that the upgrades were required and linked to a handover to the 3G wireless technology standard. But RIM declined the validity of the explanation and in a statement emailed Wednesday it said: "Independent sources have concluded that it is possible that the installed software could ... enable unauthorized access to private or confidential information stored on the user's smart phone.”

"RIM is not aware of any technical network concerns with the performance of BlackBerry smart phones on Etisalat's network in the UAE," the company said, adding that it "does not endorse this software application."

The device maker also noted that the software was developed by privately held Silicon Valley company called SS8 Networks Inc, which markets its services to intelligence agencies, law enforcement and communication service providers.

It is obvious that following its tradition to intervene in the privacy of its citizens UAE government decided to expand its control through the spy software on the BlackBerry phones. Smith, the security and privacy consultant, said a data thief tapping into a smart phone in theory could turn on the microphone to listen in on a private conversation, provide a list of previous calls or send back the user's location. Moreover, Blackberry spokeswoman said the device maker believes the snooping software was sent only to the operator's UAE customers.