Du reacts to BlackBerry spyware scandal

Du has assured its BlackBerry subscribers that it has not deployed any software that risks the usability or ‘normal performance’ of the devices.

The comment puts to an end speculation that the UAE operator might have also deployed software similar to the one Etisalat pushed to its 145,000 BlackBerry subscribers earlier this month that caused severe battery drain problems, and which experts subsequently identified as spyware.

BlackBerry manufacturers RIM distanced itself from the controversy by claiming that it was “not involved in any way in the testing, promotion or distribution of this software application.” RIM went on to confirm and state that the Etisalat update was “not designed to improve performance of your BlackBerry, but rather to send received messages back to a central server.”

Etisalat however still maintains that it was a ‘performance enhancement patch’ designed to aid 2G to 3G handovers.

In an official statement offered to itp.net earlier today, du revealed that it only “applies RIM-approved software to customers’ BlackBerry smartphones and has not deployed any software that may risk usability or normal performance of these smartphones,” adding that its customers “continue to enjoy trouble-free BlackBerry service.”

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READERS' COMMENTS

Re: BlackBerry 2G / 3G comment from Habib
Posted by Michael on Monday 27 July 2009 at 15:56 UAE time


The du BlackBerry service includes 3G usage, it is not charged separately. It is true that you should ensure that the BlackBerry browser is used.

Blackberry 2G / 3G
Posted by Habib, dubai on Monday 27 July 2009 at 10:32 UAE time


beware that if your BB device is set to 3G, you will be charged as EWAP and not based on your BB package.
Make sure that your browser is configured by default on ''internet browser'' and that it is 2G and not 3G.. You should see EDGE on your BB screen and not 3G. I ended with an extra 700 dirhams for not following the above.

Du gets my vote!
Posted by Shan, Dubai on Sunday 26 July 2009 at 22:43 UAE time


Atleast they came forward! Etisalat will just continue their lies and manipulation.

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