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back to article BlackBerry: We'll buy Angela Merkel's phone security company. HA!

BlackBerry has bought privately held German firm Secusmart as part of its drive to become the handset provider of choice for security-conscious clients such as government agencies and big businesses. Secusmart, which specialises in voice and data encryption, was already a partner of the one-time business phone giant, providing …

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  1. Gene Cash Silver badge

    I'm actually surprised the Germans let this happen. I'd expect them to want to keep the security expertise they have in-country, and not have it tied to a company subject to the NSA.

    1 1 Reply
    1. wolfetone Silver badge
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      They're resorting to typewriters and walks in the park now. Both of which are available in Germany.

      0 0 Reply
    2. WillyD
      Reply Icon
      Joke

      I thought only USA entities were subject to the NSA. The NSA now covers Canada as well? They now have jurisdiction over all of North America? So it should now be NASA? (North American Security Agency). I think the other NASA would take rather unkindly to that..

      2 0 Reply
    3. Anonymous Coward
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      Anonymous Coward

      The poor company. This is like attaching their dingy to the Titanic by a steel cable and turning on the winch...

      0 0 Reply
  2. brinksync

    Merkel phone

    It wasn't Merkels BlackBerry that was hacked by the NSA, it was her personal Nokia device. Merkel reportedly now is is using the Merkel phone, a BBRY enhanced by Secusmart. Good move, BBRY.

    1 0 Reply
    1. Anonymous Coward
      Reply Icon
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Merkel phone

      "It wasn't Merkels BlackBerry that was hacked by the NSA, it was her personal Nokia device. "

      Her calls were more likely monitored externally via an ISMI catcher or the carrier networks. Prior to moving to customised Blackberries, the German administration generally used iPhones, but Miss Kerkel did use an ancient Nokia.

      0 0 Reply
  3. Mikel

    Many mourn the loss of RIM

    Back in the day they were amazing. My right thumb may never recover from Blackberry thumb syndrome. But that was then and this is now.

    1 1 Reply
  4. The C Man

    I'm wondering if Blackberry will make encryption an optional extra linked to the pins. It's not far off that now.

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