BlackBerry, pushing further into security services, agreed to buy Secusmart, which provides anti-eavesdropping technology to clients including German officials such as Chancellor Angela Merkel. Secusmart, based in Dusseldorf, Germany, already had a partnership with BlackBerry, and makes voice and data encryption for mobile phones. Financial terms weren't disclosed. It is BlackBerry's first acquisition since November, when it hired chief executive John Chen, who vowed to cut losses by focusing on services to corporations and governments. Now, having stabilised the Canadian firm, Chen said he was laying the groundwork for growth. With Secusmart, it aims to capitalise on demand for spy-proofing technology after revelations about US surveillance tactics, including allegations Merkel's mobile phone was tapped. The deal is still subject to regulatory approval. Chen said he was confident Germany would approve the sale, given the government uses BlackBerry phones and software. At a time of backlash against US firms, including Germany's decision not to renew a Verizon Communications contract, Chen said it doesn't hurt being a Canadian company. "Canadians are very neutral," said Chen, who grew up in Hong Kong and is a naturalised US citizen. Bloomberg