Skip to main content

BlackBerry refuses to back down, leaves Pakistan instead of handing over private data

In a stand for user privacy, BlackBerry will leave the Pakistani market entirely, removing its enterprise and consumer services from the country at the end of December 2015. It follows a battle with the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) after it told networks in the country BlackBerry Enterprise Services (BES) would no longer operate after November 30 for “security reasons.” This deadline was later extended until December 30.

The PTA never revealed what these security reasons were, but according to BlackBerry the Pakistan government wanted backdoor access to all enterprise data, including emails and messages. BlackBerry uses powerful end-to-end encryption technology, making it almost impossible for snooping governments or hackers to intercept or view data. By continuing to do business in Pakistan, it would have to compromise its own security and policies.

Recommended Videos

“As we have said many times, we do not support “back doors” granting open access to our customers information and have never done this anywhere in the world,” said BlackBerry COO Marty Beard. “The privacy of our customers is paramount to BlackBerry, and we will not compromise that principle.”

Instead of just stopping its business services, the company will also remove its consumer services, showing it’s commitment to maintaining user privacy, and refusal to bend to governmental will if it goes against company policy. It is not clear how many of the 180 million people living in Pakistan own a BlackBerry, or how many companies use its enterprise software to secure communications.

It’s also unclear if the Pakistan government’s deadline extension indicates there are ongoing talks, or if it’s prepared to change its stance on user privacy if it means BlackBerry will continue to operate there. However, it has blocked access to YouTube in the country since 2012 over a row regarding removal of a certain video, showing it’s happy to deny services that don’t comply with its censorship demands.

Privacy and security has always been a major selling point for BlackBerry, for both consumer and business customers, but it has faced growing competition over the past years. Privacy-focused Android devices such as the Blackphone 2 and the GranitePhone have both captured headlines recently, and Apple has made its own refusal to share encrypted data with law enforcement a talking point.

David Curry
Former Contributor
David has been writing about technology for several years, following the latest trends and covering the largest events. He is…
BlackBerry rises from the grave: New 5G phone with a keyboard coming in 2021
BlackBerry Key2. Credits: BlackBerry official.

BlackBerry is the smartphone brand that steadfastly refuses to die. The presumed-dead name has been resurrected once again, this time by a new company called OnwardMobility. It will work with manufacturer FIH Mobile to create and sell a 5G BlackBerry Android phone with a physical keyboard, ready for a potential release in the U.S. and Europe during the first half of 2021.

You read that right: A new BlackBerry phone with a physical keyboard and 5G, running Google’s Android software, is coming next year. TCL Communications was the last company to produce BlackBerry smartphones. It did so under license from BlackBerry Ltd., which continues to provide mobile security services, but isn’t in the hardware business anymore. TCL let its license lapse in February 2020 when modern, Android-based BlackBerry phones became a thing of the past. Until now.

Read more
This one iPadOS 26 feature has me excited for the iPhone Fold
Semi-open state of a foldable iPhone concept

Samsung is set to launch the seventh generation of its Galaxy Z Fold book-style folding phone this Summer, but its biggest rival is yet to show its folding phone hand. Apple has long been expected to unveil an iPhone Fold, and the latest rumors suggest that it will launch next year.

I’ve used almost every folding phone released globally, with some exceptions for extremely obscure ones. While I've always been curious what an iPhone Fold would look like, I was fairly certain that Apple shouldn't build it, as I wasn’t sure they could deliver on one necessary feature.

Read more
These are the 4 best alternatives to the Google Pixel 9a
A person taking the Google Pixel 9a out of a pocket.

The best cheap phone race has been reignited by the Google Pixel 9a, which brings the Google Pixel 9 series experience at a significantly lower price. Starting at $449, Google’s latest Pixel offers the flagship processor of its siblings for flagship-level performance, an excellent camera, and long-term software support.

Yet, Google’s software experience won’t be for everyone; there are obvious tradeoffs in the specs sheet to enable the low price; the camera bar design is somewhat polarizing for long-term fans, and there’s no telephoto camera. 

Read more