Security crackdown leads India to asks Google, others to establish local accounts

The Indian government recently asked major communications companies Google and Skype to establish local servers in the nation, as it continues its security crackdown that started with BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion.

The government hopes the companies agree so that it can access mail sent using any of the services. While some object, the Indian government has made it clear that security is more pressing an issue than privacy. India believes encrypted email networks have become a major tool for terrorists and other militants in the South Asian nation. Granting access to the servers would make the data of any of these companies’ customers available to the Indian government at will.

"People who operate communication services in India should [install a] server in India as well as make available access to law enforcement agencies," Indian home secretary G.K. Pillai said. "That has been made clear to RIM of BlackBerry but also to other companies."

The case is likely to spark major debate among web communications providers who believe the Indian government is violating the rights of their people and the companies at the same time.