The United Arab Emirates has said it will begin blocking BlackBerry mobile services, such as text messages and e-mails, due to “security concerns.” The country has been involved in an ongoing dispute with BlackBerry maker Research in Motion over the encrypted data system, which gives its users security but makes it difficult for governments to monitor the transfer of messages. About 500,000 people in the country use BlackBerrys, the Times says, most of them in Dubai. Saudi Arabia — as well as Kuwait and Bahrain — are said to be considering following suit. [NYT]
