BlackBerry’s Reprieve in India Puts Google, Skype in the Hot Seat

Yesterday, India gave RIM a two-month grace period in which it will be allowed to continue its BlackBerry services while government security agencies test a system that gives them access to encrypted messages and email. This came as welcome news to BlackBerry users, but authorities are expected to focus next on Gmail and Skype, whose strong encryption and VoIP technology make it impossible for domestic intelligence agencies to monitor for terrorist activity. A spokesman for Google says that the company hasn’t yet received a notice to comply with security demands.