RIM said it would implement a filtering service for BlackBerry subscribers "as soon as possible" after an Indonesian minister threatened to "shut down" RIM's operation for failing to comply with the country's cyber laws.
Speaking to news agency AFP, communications and information technology minister, Tifatul Sembiring, gave RIM a two-week deadline to restrict access to pornographic websites via its devices. "We have repeatedly asked them to do it and we have given them time. If they keep delaying, we will shut down their operation here because they fail to comply with our laws", he said.
In response, RIM said in a statement: "Regarding the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's priority of implementing internet content filtering solutions in Indonesia, RIM confirms that it shares minister Tifatul Sembiring's sense of urgency on this matter and it is fully committed to working with Indonesia's carriers to put in place a prompt, compliant filtering solution for BlackBerry subscribers in Indonesia as soon as possible."
RIM has also faced increasing pressure from India, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to provide access to communication over Blackberry devices, amid purported fears they could be used by terrorists.
This story was first published by Computer Weekly