RIM Faces Ethical Dilemmas

Research In Motion Ltd (RIM), the maker of BackBerry, has experienced several ethical challenges. One example of an ethical challenge that RIM has faced is with the Indonesian government, which told its countries Internet service providers to block customers from viewing pornographic websites. RIM had to decide whether it was ethical to block people from viewing porn or not. Is it right to block what people see? Motivated to keep good relations with Indonesia, RIM decided to install filters on the phones before the actual deadline.

Another example has to do with BlackBerry encryption. India feared that encryptions make RIMs smartphones allows terrorists to remain anonymous. RIM faced the ethical dilemma of whether they should keep the feature of encryptions or not. Is it worth it to have a feature that makes it easier for terrorists to be anonymous? In efforts to compromise, RIM chose to provide tools for Indian security agencies so that they could access messenger services. I do not agree with RIM's decision to filter pornography from Indonesian smart phones, because I do not believe that it is ethical to block people from seeing what they want to see. However, I do understand that Indonesia is a big consumer of RIM's products, so compromising with them ultimately helped their business. However, I do agree that RIM made the right move in providing told for Indian security agencies to access messenger services so that it is more difficult for terrorists to remain anonymous. I believe that ultimately, RIM has handled both situations in a strategic way for their business.


Works Cited:

Ismar, Andreas. (2011). Rim starts internet filters in indonesia . The Wall Street Journal, Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704881304576093174017705238.html?mod=WSJ_Tech_LEFTTopNews