Blackberry has pledged to help authorities investigating rioting across the country after it emerged its devices were increasingly being used to organise trouble.Much of the violence has been arranged via the smartphone's private messaging service, known as BBM.
One message shown to Sky News read: "Everyone in edmonton enfield wood green everywhere in north link up at enfield town station at 4 o clock sharp!!!!
"Start leaving ur yards n linking up with your... da feds, bring your ballys and your bags, trollys, cars vans, hammers the lot!!"
BBM is used because it is very secure and allows users to contact each other via their private Pin numbers. The messages are untraceable.The service cannot be monitored by police, unlike normal text messages and social networking sites Twitter and Facebook.
It had been designed for business users but is increasingly being used by gangs as it allows users to communicate instantly, free and in private.
Conversations can also be held between several users simultaneously.
BlackBerry handsets have become the mobile phone choice for 37% of British teens, according to an Ofcom study.Patrick Spence, from BlackBerry, said: "We feel for those impacted by this weekend's riots in London. We have engaged with the authorities to assist in any way we can.
"As in all markets around the world where BlackBerry is available, we cooperate with local telecommunications operators, law enforcement and regulatory officials.
"Similar to other technology providers in the UK we comply with The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act and co-operate fully with the Home Office and UK police forces."


http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16046302

Posted: Aug 09, 2011 8:55 am