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Discuss this article (47 Comments)EXCLUSIVE: BlackBerry patch was not for spying, claims Etisalat
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 23 July 2009
SPYWARE CLAIM: Etisalat denies its BlackBerry patch was for spying. (Getty Images)
Etisalat has denied controversial software it sent to its BlackBerry subscribers was designed to spy on customers.
Abdulla Hashim, vice president of enterprise solutions for Etisalat, said the patch was intended to improve the performance of services for BlackBerry subscribers, but that the firm regretted the problems caused to users who downloaded the software.
Etisalat had since sent BlackBerry subscribers “correction software” allowing users to deactivate the patch, he said.
The telecom operator faced accusations of spying on its customers from software and telecom security experts, who said the software was a surveillance patch enabling Etisalat to see emails sent from BlackBerry devices, a theory that was endorsed by BlackBerry manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) on its website.
Etisalat stopped issuing the patch after it was found to greatly reduce the battery life of the smartphone.
“This patch is not for spying,” Hashim told Arabian Business in an exclusive interview.
“The patch was needed to improve performance on the BlackBerry coverage.”
The Java-based software was designed to improve coverage for users moving from 3G to 2G network areas within the UAE, he said.
“Etisalat has 3G and 2G networks and this (the patch) was to enhance the handover from 3G to 2G when people are moving around the UAE as 3G is not 100 percent. 3G is 97 percent coverage.”
Hashim’s comments contradict RIM’s assertion that it was “not aware of any technical network concerns with the performance of BlackBerry smartphones on Etisalat’s network in the UAE.”
Asked if Etisalat regretted issuing the patch, Hashim said: “We don’t feel happy as we were hoping it (the patch) would improve things but it caused problems, despite testing.
“But we don’t regret the intention of what we tried to achieve. Whenever we find software to enhance the performance of a mobile device and improve customer experience we will issue it. It is our duty to improve network performance.”
A technical fault with the patch was behind the problems experienced by “several hundred” customers who downloaded the software, he said.
He said the company had sent the patch to its 150,000 BlackBerry subscribers earlier this month but only a small number had downloaded it.
“The patch has been stopped being issued. It caused problems and we sent correction software to customers to remove it,” he added.
Meanwhile, an online poll by Arabian Business found that more than half of Etisalat’s BlackBerry customers are planning to ditch the telecoms provider.
Experts said the problems were caused by too many devices trying to register the software at once.
RIM on Tuesday released a strongly-worded statement claiming it was “not involved in any way in the testing, promotion or distribution of this software application.”
READERS' COMMENTS
Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.
Spyware Scandal
Posted by M. Wiseman on Friday 31 July 2009 at 03:00 UAE time
Such hypocritical statements made by officials in Etisalat only add insult to injury to the intelligence of smart technologies. Even a 7 grade student knows that Java applications are used for spyware and not to enhance G3 voice quality.
No other Blackberry partner or user has ever made such outrageous claims. No competition dared to rival the good quality of RIM technology and products. However, the encryption code of Blackberry has been a source of challenge for the spy freaks.
It is better if Etisalat stops the claims of improving Blackberry quality. Instead Etisalat should issue a public apology statement to their clients and technology partners.
Posted by M. Wiseman on Friday 31 July 2009 at 03:00 UAE time
Such hypocritical statements made by officials in Etisalat only add insult to injury to the intelligence of smart technologies. Even a 7 grade student knows that Java applications are used for spyware and not to enhance G3 voice quality.
No other Blackberry partner or user has ever made such outrageous claims. No competition dared to rival the good quality of RIM technology and products. However, the encryption code of Blackberry has been a source of challenge for the spy freaks.
It is better if Etisalat stops the claims of improving Blackberry quality. Instead Etisalat should issue a public apology statement to their clients and technology partners.
trust
Posted by Dr Paul Goodwill Ambassador to my Auntie Margaret, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 30 July 2009 at 11:26 UAE time
Randy, while one would be stupid for downloading spyware coming from an untrusted source, this 'patch' came from the network provider. Until now, I would have assumed that software or settings changes coming from either the device manufacturer, or the network, could be trusted. Obviously now this is not the case.
For those users pledging to switch to Du - think about it. The RTA have been remarkably silent about all this, and are happy to accept Etisalat's rather implausible insistence that the 'upgrade' was not spyware (even though the handset manufacturer, anti-spyware vendors and IT experts all say it was). Think about it... the RTA's silence speaks volumes.
Invasion of privacy is an issue across the world, people need to learn to use the technical tools available to protect their data.
Posted by Dr Paul Goodwill Ambassador to my Auntie Margaret, Dubai, UAE on Thursday 30 July 2009 at 11:26 UAE time
Randy, while one would be stupid for downloading spyware coming from an untrusted source, this 'patch' came from the network provider. Until now, I would have assumed that software or settings changes coming from either the device manufacturer, or the network, could be trusted. Obviously now this is not the case.
For those users pledging to switch to Du - think about it. The RTA have been remarkably silent about all this, and are happy to accept Etisalat's rather implausible insistence that the 'upgrade' was not spyware (even though the handset manufacturer, anti-spyware vendors and IT experts all say it was). Think about it... the RTA's silence speaks volumes.
Invasion of privacy is an issue across the world, people need to learn to use the technical tools available to protect their data.
I have the solution !
Posted by Randy, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Monday 27 July 2009 at 10:24 UAE time
Here are three possible solutions for Etisalat to consider:
1. Start charging all the users who downloaded the software AED10 a month, instead of calling it a 'patch' call it a 'application'. Problem solved since everyone that downloaded it 'subscribed' to the monitoring service.
2. Identify all those users that downloaded the software and email them the Nigerian banking scam email and see how many account numbers and pin numbers Etisalat can collect.
3. All the users of the blackberry 'smart' phone with problems can retun thier devices and Etisalat to give them a simpler device to use like a 10 year old used Nokia phone.
Really, how many people blindly download software that is sent to their email account, how many people send out bank account numbers and pin's on email? How many IT managers want to be the FIRST conpany to implement the latest Microsoft OS? Time for some folk to take responsibility for their actions. Yes Etisalat screwed up, but that's why it's called a 'smart' phone since it isn't for 'dummy's'!!!
Posted by Randy, Abu Dhabi, UAE on Monday 27 July 2009 at 10:24 UAE time
Here are three possible solutions for Etisalat to consider:
1. Start charging all the users who downloaded the software AED10 a month, instead of calling it a 'patch' call it a 'application'. Problem solved since everyone that downloaded it 'subscribed' to the monitoring service.
2. Identify all those users that downloaded the software and email them the Nigerian banking scam email and see how many account numbers and pin numbers Etisalat can collect.
3. All the users of the blackberry 'smart' phone with problems can retun thier devices and Etisalat to give them a simpler device to use like a 10 year old used Nokia phone.
Really, how many people blindly download software that is sent to their email account, how many people send out bank account numbers and pin's on email? How many IT managers want to be the FIRST conpany to implement the latest Microsoft OS? Time for some folk to take responsibility for their actions. Yes Etisalat screwed up, but that's why it's called a 'smart' phone since it isn't for 'dummy's'!!!
wipe it
Posted by langyaw, Dubai, UAE on Monday 27 July 2009 at 09:58 UAE time
BB users, there is no need for you to use any "correction" software to remove whatever worm was implanted in your device. all you need to do is do the following:
Go to Settings-->Options, Security Options-->General Settings and select Wipe Handheld. make sure you include all 3rd party applications in the wipe process. khalas!
don't trust another software to do it for you. do it yourself. just make sure you back up your files and address book before you nuke your device.
for more info, go to the blackberry site and search for "how to wipe device".
Posted by langyaw, Dubai, UAE on Monday 27 July 2009 at 09:58 UAE time
BB users, there is no need for you to use any "correction" software to remove whatever worm was implanted in your device. all you need to do is do the following:
Go to Settings-->Options, Security Options-->General Settings and select Wipe Handheld. make sure you include all 3rd party applications in the wipe process. khalas!
don't trust another software to do it for you. do it yourself. just make sure you back up your files and address book before you nuke your device.
for more info, go to the blackberry site and search for "how to wipe device".
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