Obama likely to be forced to surrender his BlackBerry
Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:07PM EST
See Comments (58)
And no, he's not getting an iPhone.
President-elect Barack Obama is rarely seen in public without his BlackBerry smart phone, but that's likely to change when he sits down at his desk in the Oval Office come January. And, says the New York Times, he's dreading that moment.
The first e-President is likely to become significantly less connected come January 20 for a variety of reasons. Naturally security is a concern, lest Obama be tricked into clicking on the wrong ad. But the bigger issue is now a legal one: As President, Obama's written correspondence will be subject to the Presidential Records Act, which will all ultimately become part of the official record and subject to review by the public.
The upshot: As tech-savvy as the new prez may be, things will be locked down considerably once he takes office. It's almost hard to believe, but it looks like he won't even be allowed a computer on his desk, much less the ability to idly chat with old friends and supporters via email. It's said that it's unlikely he'll even be allowed to read email on the computer: Presumably his correspondence will be printed out to him and handed over as a hard copy. How's that for progress?
As well, there is no word on how Obama will communicate with former Nigerian princes, nor how he will claim the millions of dollars they have to offer.
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47 Posted by billmania on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse
As far as who won the election, doesn't matter any more. Its over, please move on. No I didn't vote for Obama. I think its more of a security issue. Tracking the phone can be done, the CIA does it all the time. There are other security issue that can be brought up also that have nothing to do with email, phone. We will get there at some point but not yet.
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48 Posted by roostercruizer777 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:51PM EDT Report Abuse
Let the man alone and give him a chance!!!He can't be no worse than what we've had in there for the past 8yrs!!!
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49 Posted by bmeyer45 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:10PM EDT Report Abuse
I just gotta laugh at this . .. it seems that just a couple of months ago the media and democrats were making a big deal over McCains lack of familiarity with emails and computers and now the news is that apparently using a computer and email are not required for his pay grade.
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50 Posted by the_aphro on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:06PM EDT Report Abuse
The one true way for infosec tools to be tested is by releasing them in the wild and see who cracks them. Unless the White House's IT can step up its game, provide secure encrypted devices and hardened, well-monitored, and properly firewalled servers, then they have no business using computers at all, be they Blackberries, desktop pc's, or PS 3's. The one drawback with the Blackberry is that it is far easier to lose than something "rooted to a desk" like a workstation. Beyond that, it's the 21st century. Time to act like it.
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51 Posted by karguy_66 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:47PM EDT Report Abuse
So this man can send troops anywhere in the world is in charge of the most powerful country in the world and he can't use his blackberry for fear he's going to disclose some big national secrets or have repercussions that what he sends is alowwed to be disclosed under the President's Record Act? Here's an idea maybe he is intelligent enough to determine what to send and not to send on his Blackerry. Another good plan is maybe, just, maybe we need to get our eyes on the ball and stop worrying about this nonesense!!!
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52 Posted by osawe on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:46PM EDT Report Abuse
Christopher Null, I respect your views but this article with your insinuations put a bad taste in my mouth. Yes; Nigeria has a few bad eggs just like any other country who trick people into giving them money - that is not a representation of the Nigerian princes or Nigerian people. Most Nigerians are hard working, honest and trustworthy, and I am very insulted by the insinuation that the Nigerian princes are fraudsters. For the CHANGE Obama speak of to be effective, we all must treat every human with dignity and respect.
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53 Posted by zeldev17 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:00PM EDT Report Abuse
I am the Technology Coordinator for a school district. EVERYTHING when it comes down to it has to do with technology. The white house needs to hire some IT Professionals and get them up to speed. You can secure the network. The FBI, CIA, FCC, DEA, etc all have databases that need to be protected. If you take the right precautions, you can secure anything you want to from the outside world. But maybe thats what they dont want.........tisk tisk tisk
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54 Posted by badong2dabone on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:01PM EDT Report Abuse
Osawe, he's not talking about REAL Nigerians. It's a common internet fraud technique to claim to be a deposed Nigerian prince (or something similar) and somehow get idiots to send you money. These people probably have never even BEEN to Nigeria, and everyone knows that. NOONE thinks these people actually are Nigerian princes. Except for the dupes who send them money.
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55 Posted by mguzman011 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:17PM EDT Report Abuse
Come on!!! Is Obama 44th President or 4th????
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56 Posted by hicksmatt@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse
I would gladly give up my Blackberry for the undisclosed gadgets and techno stuff the government does not let regular people have, but will be at Obama's beckon call!
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57 Posted by sprinkledme123 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:37PM EDT Report Abuse
I will pray for him and respect him as long as he conducts himself in a professional and business-like manner - whether I agree with him politically or not. But,in regards to the Blackberry -- he needs to grow up. There are reasons -- probably not known to us "simple folk" outside of the political realm and we should trust our leaders to do what is best. If Obama cannot have his Blackberry, then he needs to buck-up and follow policies and procedures. After all, he is going to be President of the United States....he's not out in the playground "Playing President". I hope that this is not a sign of immaturity on his part. Obama: Stop whinning and be thankful that you were elected into the highest position in this Nation. And I pray for you and for your family, as well as the entire Nation. May God's blessings be upon you and yours.
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58 Posted by asaint03 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse
I agree with 5, they are secluding him from outside intel and just going to filter feed him. Also, that last line was funny. How do these people still trick Americans into giving them their info? No one wins millions by email. It will never happen! This is a pretty ridiculous article nonetheless, I was still mildly entertained.
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46 Posted by olaroneeye on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:44PM EDT Report Abuse
If Mr. Obama is to keep his tech toys they will have to monitored. Mr. O will not be able to make any secret deals behind Biden's back...You get the picture, right? He'll either have to give up the blackberry or have it tied into the grid and monitored by the secret service.