UAE among some countries may curb cell phone use!
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Bangladesh, Aug. 3 -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is among a growing number of countries that are banning cell phone or imposing strict restrictions on its use. There are over 500,000 Black Berry users in UAE. Black Berry services allow users to act without any legal accountability causing judicial and national security concerns.
The UAE, citing security concerns announced last Sunday that it would suspend Black Berry mobile services like e-mail and text messaging from October, the New York Times (NYT) in a front page story reported today. This is the latest high-stakes clash between governments and communications-providers over flow of digital information. Black Berry's highly encrypted data system offers security to users but makes it difficult for governments to monitor communications.
The decision of the UAE will influence other countries in the region as well. Saudi Arabia is closely watching the situation. Kuwait and Bahrain have been alarmed by the security concerns. Governments and communication-providers have been at odds over issues surrounding privacy and censorship. Pakistan and Turkey have blocked use of YouTubes.
Pakistan blocked Facebook because it highlighted anti-Islamic themes.
The intelligence agencies in India had threatened to prevent the operation of Black Berry unless it opens its operations for scrutiny. The company refused.
