My question is: why are they storing the data anyways? Pass it along and don't keep it on the servers! Ignore all requests not authorized by a Warrant issued by a Judge.
Or maybe it's time for phones to adopt PGP for text messages? You could collect your friends or colleagues public keys and then the telephone companies haven't the slightest idea what you're texting back and forth.
If you're using iMessage or BBM, they already can't provide any of that data to law enforcement. I'm not sure how Apple or RIM handles requests for users data from law enforcement though.
Miraculously, they were allowed to remain in service in those countries. It's safe to assume the nations didn't just give up on their quest to obtain access to the messaging data.
And why wouldn't you go that far? There's no reason for a third party THAT I PAY SERVICE FEES TO to save my conversation. Transmission of the material until it reaches its client is the limit. ONLY WHEN any agency gets a warrant from a judge should they be given LIMITED ACCESS to the CURRENT messages being transmitted. Not have the ability to peruse the history of.
