Memogate scandal: RIM confirms unavailability of old records
Says the data is only retained for 90 days.
ISLAMABAD:
BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion (RIM) confirmed on Tuesday that it was unable to provide records of former envoy Husain Haqqani’s conversations with Mansoor Ijaz because the comapny’s database only retained information for 90 days.
Haqqani’s counsel, Zahid Bukhari, had earlier informed the judicial commission probing the Memogate scandal that RIM does not maintain records for its BlackBerry Messenger services for more than 90 days.
In a hearing on April 5, the commission had directed him to write a letter to RIM within 24 hours requesting provision of old communication records. In compliance with the commission’s directives, Haqqani had sent his letter of consent to the company.
However, RIM officially confirmed that they do not have the requested records and said: “We regret that the record which you have requested for the time periods set out in your consent is no longer in the possession of RIM.” The company also said that the time period mentioned was beyond the data retention period for the services offered by RIM.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Bukhari claimed that he had already informed the commission that there was no need to write a letter of consent.
“Today, RIM’s reply has proved that I was correct and Ijaz tried to mislead the commission,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commission rejected Haqqani’s adjournment application and directed the government to ascertain a list of his property details and submit them to the court by April 26.
The commission expressed their discontent over Haqqani’s absence to record his statement, despite directives given in the previous hearing to ensure his presence.
Bukhari explained that his client was not reluctant to appear before the commission but due to security threats he could not do so and in this regard, his application was pending before the Supreme Court, the hearing for which has been fixed for April 23.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2012.
BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion (RIM) confirmed on Tuesday that it was unable to provide records of former envoy Husain Haqqani’s conversations with Mansoor Ijaz because the comapny’s database only retained information for 90 days.
Haqqani’s counsel, Zahid Bukhari, had earlier informed the judicial commission probing the Memogate scandal that RIM does not maintain records for its BlackBerry Messenger services for more than 90 days.
In a hearing on April 5, the commission had directed him to write a letter to RIM within 24 hours requesting provision of old communication records. In compliance with the commission’s directives, Haqqani had sent his letter of consent to the company.
However, RIM officially confirmed that they do not have the requested records and said: “We regret that the record which you have requested for the time periods set out in your consent is no longer in the possession of RIM.” The company also said that the time period mentioned was beyond the data retention period for the services offered by RIM.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Bukhari claimed that he had already informed the commission that there was no need to write a letter of consent.
“Today, RIM’s reply has proved that I was correct and Ijaz tried to mislead the commission,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commission rejected Haqqani’s adjournment application and directed the government to ascertain a list of his property details and submit them to the court by April 26.
The commission expressed their discontent over Haqqani’s absence to record his statement, despite directives given in the previous hearing to ensure his presence.
Bukhari explained that his client was not reluctant to appear before the commission but due to security threats he could not do so and in this regard, his application was pending before the Supreme Court, the hearing for which has been fixed for April 23.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2012.