RIM pledges to shop BBM rioters

BlackBerry maker Research in Motion has pledged to help the authorities to track down rioters using its free BBM messaging service to co-ordinate attacks in London and other cities, although it has stopped short of saying it will suspend the service.
The Met has vowed to track down and arrest protesters who posted “really inflammatory, inaccurate” messages on the service, and the social networking websites Twitter and Facebook.
Last night there was speculation that the service would be pulled after a number of commentators drew the connection between the riots and BBM. Initially the company tweeted: “We feel for those impacted by the riots in London. We have engaged with the authorities to assist in any way we can.”
Later in the day, RIM issued an official response from Patrick Spence, managing director of global sales and regional marketing.
He said: “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.”
The company has not provided details on what information it plans to pass on to the authorities, although it could include details of users as well as messages themselves.
It is also reported that other “free” messaging networks are playing a role, such as the Sony PS3, which has a messaging network designed to be used by connected game players.
London witnessed a third night of rioting last night, with trouble spreading to Croydon, Clapham Junction, Ealing, Camden and Enfield. There was also unrest in Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool. So far, the Met has claimed to have arrested more 450 people.

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