RIM co-CEO
Mike Lazaridis has made some pretty
bold statements in the past, but he may just have topped himself in responding to the recent issue of countries
banning or
threatening to ban BlackBerrys -- to which you can now add Indonesia to the list. Speaking with
The Wall Street Journal in what's described as a "fiery" interview, Lazaridis said that "this is about the Internet," and that "everything on the Internet is encrypted. This not a BlackBerry-only issue," before adding that if "they can't deal with the Internet, they should shut it off." But that's not all. Lazaridis further went on to saying that "we're going to continue to work with them to make sure they understand the reality of the Internet," noting that "a lot of these people don't have Ph.Ds, and they don't have a degree in computer science." Despite those statements, however, Lazaridis seems confident that the situation will get sorted out, saying that it "will get resolved if there is a chance for rational discussion."
posted August 4th 2010 10:39PM
First was apple, now is RIM, this world is crazy.
"a lot of these people don't have Ph.Ds, and they don't have a degree in computer science."
thinly veiled racism. he's basically saying "these third-worlders with their bronze-age superstitions and goat sucking ways need not comment on tech beyond sticks & stones that they couldn't possibly understand, and also, they bathe in sewage."
this clown should stop spending so much time tanning and maybe start cracking the whip on a new BB o/s built from the ground up.
@MisterWarmth
How in the world is this racism? The same can be said about the people in most goverments, most really don't have any idea what they are talking about when it comes to computers. Many think that the things they want are easy to "just make happen."
@MisterWarmth
Racism? Is it racist to criticize a government that chops off its citizens hands?
@ChimpTheSquirrel Not this world, just that side of it
@MisterWarmth
Wow. Just wow. You are everyting that the Republicans love to rip on in a Democrat. He said that these people don't have Ph.D's and don't know what they're talking about and you assume that he meant the race. How's this one for you: he meant the damn government bureaucrats who always get their noses in things they don't know anything about. Idiot.
@ChimpTheSquirrel
Now if only Lazaridis would hire a guy who has a PhDs in making an OS.
@hexoDAT64: two words you want to avoid when making public statements: "these people". Mike stepped right into it. Let's say he was talking about Harlem instead of the UAE when he said "a lot of these people don't have Ph.Ds, and they don't have a degree in computer science." He'd have firebombs sailing through his living room window.
Now you understand.
@ChimpTheSquirrel
The internet is serious business.
@ChimpTheSquirrel Lazaridis is an idiot, im not surprising he said this after all he was the one that said that no likes touchscreen phone's..
@MisterWarmth
still doesn't constitute racism. that's bulls*** imagined, made-up racism. i once asked for a "back and white shake" (thats what most people from philadelphia call a chocolate and vanilla milkshake) at a mcdonalds. the girl behind the counter refused to serve it to me claiming it was (somehow) offensive. nothing about it was offensive, just like saying "these people" in NO WAY constitutes racism.
this guy is simply speaking the truth about a narrow-minded, archaic government restricting a means of communication they dont understand and i fully support him.
@ChimpTheSquirrel
Well at least RIM isn't putting its tail between its legs and give in. It's time they tear them a new one. What I do on my phone is none of your business. I guess they don't have anything meaningful to do so they decide to start spying on people even more. Talk about losers.
@ChimpTheSquirrel
Damn that's a big head, who knew Dr. Phil was in town.
@MisterWarmth
Thats so stupid. Calm down tropic thunder. He wasn't talking about harlem. Quit looking for a way to sound like you want it to. These people means these people that are accusing. Go somewhere else with your political correct bs.
@Plazmic Flame. Oooooh snap
@ChimpTheSquirrel
RIM's days are numbered. They're getting hit with BESgate. Maybe Android will be next target since their app market is filled with porn and immoral apps which those holy Muslims despise so much. Yeah, I can't see Allah looking favorably on Android at all. Cast Android out of the Middle East, now.
Well, look who is talking. Those people is no different than these people right here in US. look at patriot act, phone tapping without permit happening for years right here right now. do you think you data is secure? It is just BULLSHIT! Stop being hypocrites. If we have a right to do it they have too for national security. No need for phd for this...
@liftedngifted1 Idiot,he may be. But he is spot on.
Now Idiots that we (Indians) voted, are planning to Ban BlackBerry Messenger now!
Somehow symmetric keys of a Blackberry is more of a threat than Asymmetric keys used by SSL.
Also, they should ban opera mini, since the communication between opera mini and the compression servers are encrypted too.
@ChimpTheSquirrel His commment alone is makes me want to buy a BlackBerry would be nice if they embraced Android and kept security features....
@rhimbu
Long sleeve or short sleeve?!?
@allajunaki
Dude do you understand what encryption and degree of encryption (bit of encryption)? Even NSA cannot crack the BB messages easily unless having access to key generation algorithm. So if US authorities are saying that they can crack the code only after a court permits them in case of an unfortunate event like terrorist attack. it means they can arm twist RIM to cough out the algorithm.
So this is a problem for all governments and not just India or UAE.
@ChimpTheSquirrel
and if Lazaridis cant keep stupid thoughts out of the air, he should stf
@owdee Are you serious!?!? Oh my god, that is so sad. It sucks that anything anyone does is considered offensive now. Fucking hate it!
@Drew3739
HAHAH, awesome comment. First time I've ever actually laughed out loud from an engadget comment. Good work.
@ChimpTheSquirrel
Ur right we should have nuked the middle east after 9/11 but here we go them banning freedom in their contrite who needs them
You go girl
@Theguywiththehair
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!
I just wanna know who has the bigger pumpkinhead:
1) Ted Kennedy
2) Rush Limbaugh
3) Mike Lazaridis
@MisterWarmth
I don't know why, but Mike just LOOKS like a guy who'd wear a speedo.
(Now, back to the topic at hand)
@Scape3d
lmao when I read that, omg
@Theguywiththehair All real men wear Speedos at the beach. Only children wear shorts.
@MisterWarmth
I would say michael moore, but his entire body is shaped like a pumpkin.
@Theguywiththehair No, no, no. Because a government wont accept your product then you say they should go a more extreme route? No, no, no. Yes, they should go more open, but if rejecting one product means you should go total totalitarian, thats I'm sorry but, BS. I understand the point he is trying to make, but you should never even make these suggestions as a CEO.
Instead, say, you should look to encourage responsible use. Discourage and punish irresponsible use (I'm thinking hacking, I know these governments would have something else in mind.) Did Google say to China, you don't like the way we serve content, you should shut down the internet completely? That'd be ridiculous and they would've (I think) had their heads in a noose.
@Steve2000
Please, no. People on the beach are looking at the bikinis. You really think they want to sear their eyes on your nasty wanger?
Look at that man, he just looks like a freaking professional guy. Successful. Nothing less is expected from a big shot at RIM
say what you want about the phones but we Android, iOs, and Web OS guys are dorks compared to these guys demeanor.
"this is about the internet" lol
I read that as "RIM's Lizard..." I was like o.O
CE Oh Yes He Did?
"this is about the internet" lol
@Noskid7 Oops double. Howd that happen?
It's more like "If some governments can't control the internet, they will shut it off".
Anyone else it at as a gross invasion of privacy if a government demands free access to private communications? What's next? Mandatory listening devices in every home to monitor private discussions?
@Twitchy
Already happening in the UK ;)
@Plazmic Flame idiot
@Stewsam
Sorry, my mistake, it's not mandatory, it's just a project study by the government.
He makes an excellent point. Either allow the internet, or see how long citizens will tolerate being cut off.
@B3astofthe3ast
Didn't you hear? The terrorists are coming!!
@speg I like ham.
@MisterWarmth So do I.
"This is not a Black-berry only issue"..
Funny...didn't Steve say the Same thing about the iPhone?