RIYADH/NEW YORK - Saudi Arabia on Tuesday ordered at least one Research In Motion's BlackBerry smartphone service to be blocked as of Friday, becoming the latest government to threaten to curb the device on security grounds. The issue, which pits governments against BlackBerry's super-secure encrypted services, has flared at a particularly inopportune time for RIM. On Tuesday, the company wanted all eyes on the unveiling of its new BlackBerry model at an event in New York. The new touch-screen BlackBerry Torch is considered RIM's response to tough competition on its North American home turf from the likes of Apple Inc's iPhone, which is driving the company to seek new markets offshore. Hours before Saudi Arabia's move, a RIM executive said governments were unlikely to carry through on threats because state officials themselves depend heavily on the iconic devices for communication. "I believe they'll have trouble pulling the trigger to shut down BlackBerry," RIM Chief Technology Officer David Yach told Reuters on the sidelines of the New York launch bash. "Most governments in the world rely on BlackBerry. Earlier, newspapers reported that RIM may make concessions to India and Kuwait after their governments voiced concerns the security risk posed by the smartphones, fearing they could be used for plots against the state. Unlike rivals Nokia and Apple, RIM controls its own networks, which handle encrypted messages through centers in Canada and the UK. But Canada-based RIM said in an emailed statement that "claims" it has provided unique wireless services or access to any one country are "unfounded. "There is only one BlackBerry enterprise solution available to our customers around the world and it remains unchanged in all of the markets we operate in," the company said. US President Barack Obama is arguably the world's most famous BlackBerry user. He had to push hard to keep his beloved device due to security concerns and his address book was reduced to a small group of personal friends and senior staff. Saudi Arabia, India and the United Arab Emirates together represent only about 5 per cent of the 41 million BlackBerry devices in service worldwide. Even so, they are markets with growth potential for RIM.
