It looks like the BlackBerry Ban is still haunting RIM’s efforts in some countries. According to an article from the WSJ, RIM will for the first time ever implement an internet filter to block pornographic content in Indonesia. The details:

It will be the first time ever that the company will apply Internet filtering in any country, according to an official at RIM’s Indonesia office, who declined to be named. RIM and the government will meet on Jan. 17 to discuss the matter, Gatot Dewobroto, a spokesman for Indonesia’s Information Ministry said Monday.

“RIM has been engaged with its carrier partners and the government on this matter and continues to make it a top priority to implement satisfactory technical solutions with its partners as soon as possible,” the company said in an email statement.

The latest development comes after the Indonesian government last year told Internet service providers in the country to block customers from viewing websites with pornographic content. The threat made Friday against RIM was the latest in a slew of warnings Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring has given since last year; the minister has also been demanding that the Canadian company set up a server in Indonesia to allow the government to access data sent via BlackBerry if needed for example in probing corruption cases.

I understand why RIM would jump for the Indonesian government…the possible loss of  around 2 million subscribers over a complete ban would definitely affect them negatively. RIM also continues to face pressure in India (and other countries) for full access to encrypted BlackBerry data including corporate email and messenger service even though they already have access to monitor Internet, voice calls and short-messaging services.

So basically they want complete, unrestricted access, something I hope RIM doesn’t agree to because it will all go downhill from there. What do you think?

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