BlackBerry gets OK to buy encryptors of Merkel's mobile

Research in Motion CEO Thorsten Heins at the unveiling of the BlackBerry 10 mobile platform as well as two new devices January 30, 2013. Germany said Friday it had approved Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry's purchase of data encryption firm Secusmart, whose customers include Chancellor Angela Merkel. PHOTO | FILE 

In Summary

• Concern over German security interests had been allayed with the agreement of a special clause with BlackBerry, an interior ministry spokesman told reporters.
• The German government declined to reveal details of the accord negotiated with BlackBerry.
• Media reports said Berlin had stipulated that German security officials have access to source codes in the BlackBerry operating system.

By AFP
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BERLIN,

Germany said Friday it had approved Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry's purchase of data encryption firm Secusmart, whose customers include Chancellor Angela Merkel, after agreeing what media dubbed a "no-spy clause".

Concern over German security interests had been allayed with the agreement of a special clause with BlackBerry, an interior ministry spokesman told reporters.

The planned purchase of Secusmart, a German voice and data encryption and anti-eavesdropping firm, was announced in July.

The issue of secure communications is especially sensitive in Germany after revelations last year that the US National Security Agency tapped Merkel's mobile phone.

The German government declined to reveal details of the accord negotiated with BlackBerry.

Media reports said Berlin had stipulated that German security officials have access to source codes in the BlackBerry operating system.

Germany also insisted that no confidential information be passed to foreign intelligence services, reported the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper and public broadcasters WDR and NDR.