One of the most complex questions taxing the first days of the Obama administration can now be answered: The new President will be allowed to keep his beloved Blackberry that hangs permanently from his belt and is used dozens of times a day. The National Security Agency has come up with a technology package that will allow the President to communicate at the Secret level while satisfying legal requirements that all presidential communications must be kept and, when appropriate, made available to the public.
Blackberries are routinely issued to government employees but there was a particular challenge for Obama in the potential embarrassment if any of his texts or voice calls were intercepted. Software for such interceptions are readily available on the web and the Secret Service had originally told Obama that he would have to give up his Blackberry and revert to a more conventional encrypted cellphone.
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