The White House pilot tests smartphone

WASHINGTON: The White House is holding security tests for smartphones of various brands for internal use. This threatens Blackberry as the White House is largely its stronghold with the internal technology team and President Obama himself being loyal users of the smartphone so far However, now, smartphones of Samsung and LG are being tested by the internal staff as well as the White House Communications Agency.

An official note from the White House confirmed that the tests are in the early stages and any implementation of Samsung or LG phones is still “months away”. The note clarified that there is no indication that Obama is switching from his modified BlackBerry.

Though the Pentagon official didn’t identify the devices in the pilot test or in use at the White House, a local media report categorically said that the White House is testing smartphones from Samsung and LG Electronics.

While Samsung and LG declined to comment, BlackBerry said its smartphones meet the highest security standards.

“For more than a decade, BlackBerry has been securing the US Government’s mobile communications and only BlackBerry is designed to meet the high-security needs of US and allied government agencies,” a BlackBerry spokeswoman was quoted as saying.