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German Interior minister bans iPhones, BlackBerries

Posted: , by Victor H.

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German Interior minister bans iPhones, BlackBerries
The iPhone is probably the most coveted gadgets around the globe, but if you happen to work in Germany’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, you’d have to give your iPhone or BlackBerry up. Why? It’s a threat to security since the underlying servers powering the iPhone and ‘Berries are based in the US. 

Unnamed officials quoted this the biggest concern forcing the ban, which was allegedly imposed by German Interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich.

The minister fears that information could be snooped, and there’s plenty of confidential information in a country’s Interior ministry. So are government employees forced to use ancient feature phones? Not exactly - the whole ministry uses HTC handsets equipped with special software provided by the Federal Office for Information Security.

source: Bloomberg

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1. arcq12 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 09:06 3 4

So what they are saying is that the US government may sneak in to their information? This is a very offensive statement if you ask me..

5. Mozarrt posted on 16 Jan 2012, 09:24 9

They probably already do. Spying amongst allies isn't uncommon.

14. asimo posted on 16 Jan 2012, 11:38 1

Maybe they should use SEAndroid, open sourced by ..... NSA!!

http://selinuxproject.org/page/SEAndroid

21. QWIKSTRIKE posted on 16 Jan 2012, 20:37

You are so naive to believe we are inescapable of this.

2. chocolatebear76 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 09:08 5

@rcq12
is not surprising or impossible

3. arcq12 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 09:11 4

@chocolatebear76

I know but for what purpose? Its like they are accusing Americans as terrorists.

4. -RVM- posted on 16 Jan 2012, 09:20 6

arent they ?

6. -RVM- posted on 16 Jan 2012, 09:25 4

Ok, now seriously. there are things that simply shouldn't be spread outside the german ministry of internal affairs. It's kinda naive to believe that US intelligance agencies aren't collecting information about their NATO alllies, including Germany... have u ever heard about Echelonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echelon_(signals_intelligence) ?

8. remixfa posted on 16 Jan 2012, 09:42 6 1

we all spy on each other. it has never stopped. every country including the US has secrets they dont want to get out... and every other country wants to know them. it gives them wiggle room for negotiations and demands.
Its fun that they are using ANDROID phones since they are the easiest to secure. There goes another bruise to that tired apple fanatic arguement.

22. QWIKSTRIKE posted on 16 Jan 2012, 20:46 1

No ones is accusing Americans of being terrorist outside of Iran maybe. Just because they imply we may be able to snoop on them doesn't suggest they are calling us terrorist. Man you made all of this inference from them saying that we, and other nations may use those devices as a snooping tool...you are way too smart for me. I guess you believe we went to Iraq for WMD's even though there is proof they never existed! lol

7. arcq12 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 09:27 2

@-RVM-

Do you have a proof that they are the terrorists? They are even in-charged for the United Nations Security Council.. and the Germans? They don't give a sh*t..

18. -RVM- posted on 16 Jan 2012, 16:46 2

Calm down dude. Next time i'll add sarcasm tags.

9. arcq12 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 10:00

@remixfa how did you know they are using Android? It could be a Windows phone right? lol

10. remixfa posted on 16 Jan 2012, 10:04 5 2

oh yea... absolutely... lololol. They could also be forcing them to use old windows 6xxx phones too :) j/k
my guess is because android is the only smartphone right now besides blackberry that is been tested to be secure enough for government official use. apple and WP7 have not.

12. gallitoking posted on 16 Jan 2012, 10:55 2 4

like in most cases you are wrong...

http://technologyspectator.com.au/industry/government/dsd-gets-closer-embracing-apple

However, despite that popularity, the Defence Signals Directorate, an agency responsible for certifying technology software and hardware as being safe for use by government workers, has not certified the Apple models as being safe for use by government workers. The agency’s Evaluated Products List — which aids in government purchasing of devices — lists only the Windows Mobile and BlackBerry operating systems as being certified for use.

13. iamcc posted on 16 Jan 2012, 11:06 3 4

He's not wrong... He said "my guess is because android is the only smartphone **right now** besides blackberry that is been tested to be secure enough for government official use"

Even just by looking at the link you gave if you notice it ends in "dsd-gets-closer-embracing-apple" and from reading the article it is saying it APPEARS they are getting closer to allowing Apple products.

That definitely isn't **right now**

16. remixfa posted on 16 Jan 2012, 13:08 1 2

thank you kind sir for saving me some carpel tunnel. :)

17. gallitoking posted on 16 Jan 2012, 13:28 2 2

which aids in government purchasing of devices — lists only the Windows Mobile and BlackBerry operating systems as being certified for use.

never mentions Android like remix has stated... so techically he is wrong...

19. remixfa posted on 16 Jan 2012, 17:11 1

dude, that article was from JULY.. get with the program. Android was certified this month

http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/community/news/gt/blog/first-android-device-approved-by-department-of-defense/?cs=49454

and the news about the SGS2 and samsung Tab 10.1 broke today

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/16/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-and-galaxy-tab-get-security-nod-certified-f/

seriously dude, get with the program.

20. remixfa posted on 16 Jan 2012, 19:48 1

gallito, have you been hanging with taco? trying hard to take his place? constantly trying to nip at my heels with nonsensical and pointless arguments with no merit. good lord. at least have the common decency to do CURRENT research before u try to come at me. That would at least keep you above the taco level.

23. JGuinan007 posted on 16 Jan 2012, 22:46 1

gallitoking why are you showing an Austrailian article that refers to Austrailian GOV?

11. javier.enrique posted on 16 Jan 2012, 10:30 1

well the iphone i understand. but the bb is in canada . which is why the US wants it to go away or at least control it. the blackberry technology, is the only technology in phones that is not controlled by the us . nokia now is windows so. google, iphone, windows phone and if you kill blackberry there you have it . sing it with me....born in the usa!!!!! it was about time other countries woke up.

15. jubbing posted on 16 Jan 2012, 11:55 4 1

Guess Windows Phone is the way to go now.. or Android.

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