President Barack Obama is determined to bring his BlackBerry with him
to the White House, whether his subordinates like it or not.
"I
think we’re going to be able to hang onto one of these," Obama said in
a recent CNN interview. "I want to be able to have voices, other than
the people who are immediately working for me, be able to reach out and
… send me a message about what’s happening in America."
Before
the president was sworn into office Tuesday, reports said the U.S. Secret
Service would force Obama to give up his BlackBerry once he began his
term. That’s because in theory, a hacker could potentially break into
the president’s device, gaining access to highly confidential
information — perhaps data about national security, including the exact location of the president.
Rumor has it that Obama’s BlackBerry model is the 8830 World Edition, which has GPS features, according to the Globe and Mail.
And while BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion heavily advertises
encryption services for its smartphones, no technology is
hack-proof.
Typically, the U.S. Secret Service prohibits the
president from carrying any sort of cellphone in order to minimize
security risks. And by law, all the president’s e-mails must be
recorded and made available to the public if requested.
Many agree that stripping Obama of his BlackBerry would make his
transition into office extremely rough. Obama is recognized as the
most tech-savvy president to date. Using the internet as a fundraising
and
organizing tool, Obama’s presidential campaign was the most digitally sophisticated organizing apparatus of any presidential campaign in history.
Obama suggests that despite security concerns, he will likely be taking his coveted BlackBerry to the Oval Office.
The
decision on Obama’s BlackBerry is awaiting final approval, but the
president has received support from John Podesta, co-chairman of the
Obama-Biden Transition Project.
"An off-line Obama isn’t just bad for Barack," Podesta said in an opinion column published in LA Times.
"It’s bad for all of us. The president’s ability to reach outside his
inner circle gives him access to fresh ideas and constructive critics;
it underscores the difference between political "victories" and actual
solutions; and it brings the American people into a battle we can only
win by working together."
Do you think Obama should keep his BlackBerry? Vote in the poll below.
See Also:
- President-Elect Obama Must Surrender His BlackBerry, Says Gov’t
- The Vast Differences Between Obama and McCain on technology policy
- Propelled by Internet, Barack Obama Wins Presidency
- Obama Campaign Mocks McCain’s Computer Illiteracy
Photo: BohPhoto/Flickr
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