Mendoza School of Business

London Riots Blamed on BlackBerry Messenger?

Published: August 10, 2011 / Author: Ravelle Mohammed



The following is an excerpt from the Christian Post that quotesJohn D’Arcy, assistant professor of information technology management,
about hackers backing the London protesters. To read the article visit:
 London Riots Blamed on BlackBerry Messenger?

Violence
and disorder in London and British towns has been mounting following a fourth
night of rioting, and many are saying the extensiveness of civil aggression is
largely due to the use of BlackBerry Messenger.

Police
officials believe that most protesters have been using the smart phones to plan
and coordinate the riots. Research in Motion (RIM), BlackBerry’s parent
company, told police they would cooperate and help in the investigations.

Patrick
Spence, the managing director at RIM said the company would potentially hand
over the instant messages that rioters using BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) sent, wrote the Guardian.

John D’Arcy states that: “Given
the ease and anonymity with which these attacks can be conducted and the
jurisdiction issues, it is likely that the bad guys will remain in the driver’s
seat for the foreseeable future.”

 

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