Vodacom’s updated BlackBerry terms and conditions (T&Cs) threatens to potentially take legal action against people who transfer files downloaded on their BlackBerry to other devices.

In its updated BlackBerry terms and conditions Vodacom warns that “content acquired in the manner of on-device browsing or downloading may not be transferred off the intended device for utilisation or consumption on another device.”

This means that you may not move a photo or even text which you downloaded through your BlackBerry to your laptop, desktop or even tablet PC to use there.

“Utilisation of content acquired in this manner will be constituted as inappropriate behaviour on your part and Vodacom may at its discretion, take such steps against you as the circumstances require, including initiating legal proceedings against you,” said Vodacom.

It is likely that Vodacom wants to curb the use of its BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS) to download movies and TV shows which are then watched on other devices.

The blanket threat from Vodacom, which includes potential legal action, did not go down well with consumers.

“Hectic! Don’t dare transfer that photo you saved from Facebook onto your computer,” said one MyBroadband member.

When quizzed about the new terms and conditions Vodacom’s Jannie van Zyl maintained that the BIS is intended for on-device usage, and not for downloading content to use on another device.

“There is nothing new in the updated terms and conditions, but merely a simpler version of the previous T&Cs,” Van Zyl pointed out.

Know what you are in for

Vodacom explains that the monitoring of usage and the potential implementation of protective measures is needed to “ensure continuous service quality” and safeguard “the Vodacom network against abuse”.

Vodacom further threatened to initiate ‘proceedings’ again users who ‘tamper or manipulate’ the BlackBerry Desktop software or any 3rd party connection software to initiate a connection across the blackberry.net APN as opposed to the predefined internet APN.

“Vodacom may from time to time expand on these terms and conditions. You will be bound by all current terms and conditions, so please update yourself with them on a regular basis,” the company highlights.

Vodacom added that it reserves the right to “temporarily or permanently discontinue the ‘Service(s)’ by providing you with 20 (twenty) business days’ notice.

“Vodacom further reserves the right to modify the Service(s) where reasonably required. You agree that Vodacom shall not be held liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuation of the Service(s),” the company said.

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