I find it funny how they pretend to be putting this legislation to benefit the users, the real truth is that they are unable to snoop into the private messaging of blackberry users. I hope research in motion does not cave in.
I don't even think they were beating around the bush.
FTA: Both nations are unhappy that they are unable to monitor such communications via the handsets. This is because the Blackberry handsets automatically send the encrypted data to computer servers outside of the two countries.
The government in the UAE loves to have everything under control, from dictating how much alcohol you are allowed to buy (based on your salary) to the news you read in the local newspapers. Blackberry data is something they have always wanted to get under their control, like last year when the major government controlled telecom Etisalat tried to pass off spyware as an update for your blackberry (http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090719/BUSINESS/707199960/-1/NEWS).
Needless to say this scared the s**t out of them, even though it was a minor protest and it got called off anyway. Or maybe it was just an excuse for them to get rid of a communication medium they could not control (they have access to all SMS's and frequently use them in court trials, including adultery-related 'crimes'). It's times like this I miss Canada and the sweet smell of freedom in the air (or maybe thats just the ganja)
Funny how so many business were eager to set up shop in Dubai. Now with their religious-based government clamping down and much of the business investment floundering in debt, I wonder if these businesses regret coming into town.
Being from Arab descent I have to agree, the middle-east (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc) in general gives a bad name to the more modern muslim world (Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebannon).
These guys were riding camels 20 years ago and now overshadow the rest of the muslim world who are more developed than them when it comes to real values, freedom of speech, democracy, etc. Even though it's still far from perfect.
Because they're attention whore, the west now thinks that they're the most modern muslims when in fact it is not true at all. Maybe they have the Bentleys and Ferraris (modernity according to them) but they still stone each other to death for adultery or chop off thieves' hands.
TLDR: Having nice building and all doesn't make you a developed country.
I first saw this headline on BBC as "Gulf States Unveil Blackberry Ban". I was thinking Alabama and Mississippi had finally gone off their rocker. Then I read the article and found that it was the Persian Gulf, not the Gulf of Mexico.
To be fair only Turkey is a democracy in the muslim world, but they're not Arabs, I have lived in Istanbul for 5 years and it is the best in regards to history/culture, it is the heart of the muslim world and was the capital of the ottoman Empire, there's just too much to see, and you can do all things a Western person can do in their own country. Regarding religion, Turks are muslims but very modern, it is casual to see girls in mini skirts in the street without being called names or even attracting attention, you can drink, f**k, do whatever you want and no one will bother you.
As far as I know only in Turkey you can have real freedom.
Jordan is good, I have never been there myself but I have friends who did and told me they had fun. Their law is based on French codes and Islamic codes as well, just like in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, which is good because it means you have more freedoms than your average muslim country and less prehistoric laws. Lebanon has gone downhill since the rise of Hezbollah though.
Interesting. I'm learning alot here, thanks for the comments folks.
Yeah, I've been to Turkey a few times but never liked it that much. It challenged me too much perhaps? I just don't see any reason to go to Istanbul other than if you are into shopping.
UAE is not alone, there are few more countries which are considering this option. India, Pakistan, and some other countries are also considering banning the blackberry service.
confuciussayAug 1, 2010Buried
I find it funny how they pretend to be putting this legislation to benefit the users, the real truth is that they are unable to snoop into the private messaging of blackberry users. I hope research in motion does not cave in.
dkrenderAug 1, 2010Buried
I don't even think they were beating around the bush.
FTA: Both nations are unhappy that they are unable to monitor such communications via the handsets. This is because the Blackberry handsets automatically send the encrypted data to computer servers outside of the two countries.
Yay, Muslim Big Brother.
rogerstrongAug 1, 2010Buried
Blackberry is too secure and private for some governments. RIM should put this in their advertising.
conspiracyofoneAug 1, 2010Buried
The government in the UAE loves to have everything under control, from dictating how much alcohol you are allowed to buy (based on your salary) to the news you read in the local newspapers. Blackberry data is something they have always wanted to get under their control, like last year when the major government controlled telecom Etisalat tried to pass off spyware as an update for your blackberry (http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090719/BUSINESS/707199960/-1/NEWS).
This time, the real reason this got triggered was BBM. When they hiked gas prices up twice this year (they are pretty heavily subsidised) there was the germination of a protest over BBM (protests are not looked kindly upon in this part of the world). http://en.rsf.org/united-arab-emirates-wave-of-arrests-of-blackberry-29-07-2010,38048.html
Needless to say this scared the s**t out of them, even though it was a minor protest and it got called off anyway. Or maybe it was just an excuse for them to get rid of a communication medium they could not control (they have access to all SMS's and frequently use them in court trials, including adultery-related 'crimes'). It's times like this I miss Canada and the sweet smell of freedom in the air (or maybe thats just the ganja)
/cool story bro
alep85Aug 1, 2010Buried
Funny how so many business were eager to set up shop in Dubai. Now with their religious-based government clamping down and much of the business investment floundering in debt, I wonder if these businesses regret coming into town.
elwood_bluesAug 1, 2010Buried
At least we don't have the issue of government eavesdropping in on our communications in the USA!
Oh wait. We do have our government eavesdropping on us. My Bad...
strfxAug 1, 2010Buried
If you think the US government is not eavesdropping on all your mobile communications, including BlackBerry traffic... you're a fool.
thedamnbatmanAug 1, 2010Buried
f**k the UAE!
moussifAug 1, 2010Buried
Being from Arab descent I have to agree, the middle-east (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc) in general gives a bad name to the more modern muslim world (Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebannon).
These guys were riding camels 20 years ago and now overshadow the rest of the muslim world who are more developed than them when it comes to real values, freedom of speech, democracy, etc. Even though it's still far from perfect.
Because they're attention whore, the west now thinks that they're the most modern muslims when in fact it is not true at all. Maybe they have the Bentleys and Ferraris (modernity according to them) but they still stone each other to death for adultery or chop off thieves' hands.
TLDR: Having nice building and all doesn't make you a developed country.
phillyocAug 1, 2010Buried
Close the white market, queue the black market.
ftc08Aug 1, 2010Buried
I first saw this headline on BBC as "Gulf States Unveil Blackberry Ban". I was thinking Alabama and Mississippi had finally gone off their rocker. Then I read the article and found that it was the Persian Gulf, not the Gulf of Mexico.
Stupid ethnocentrism.
zzzblazAug 1, 2010Buried
Interesting. I love Arab countries as far as vacations go, but have not made it to UAE yet.
You are totally right though, the perception is they are modern but, as you've pointed out, they are really not.
How do you rate Jordan? I felt sort of like going back in time to the 80's, which is awesome btw!
moussifAug 1, 2010Buried
if they cave in because of these retards, they can say bye to their other customers. I'll sell mine and buy something else for sure.
blatsekAug 1, 2010Buried
UAE is such a disgusting place.
snoosyAug 1, 2010Buried
Ban SOME Blackberry functions? E-mail, internet, and Blackberry Messenger are basically the only reasons to own one in the first place.
moussifAug 1, 2010Buried
To be fair only Turkey is a democracy in the muslim world, but they're not Arabs, I have lived in Istanbul for 5 years and it is the best in regards to history/culture, it is the heart of the muslim world and was the capital of the ottoman Empire, there's just too much to see, and you can do all things a Western person can do in their own country. Regarding religion, Turks are muslims but very modern, it is casual to see girls in mini skirts in the street without being called names or even attracting attention, you can drink, f**k, do whatever you want and no one will bother you.
As far as I know only in Turkey you can have real freedom.
Jordan is good, I have never been there myself but I have friends who did and told me they had fun. Their law is based on French codes and Islamic codes as well, just like in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, which is good because it means you have more freedoms than your average muslim country and less prehistoric laws. Lebanon has gone downhill since the rise of Hezbollah though.
zzzblazAug 1, 2010Buried
Interesting. I'm learning alot here, thanks for the comments folks.
Yeah, I've been to Turkey a few times but never liked it that much. It challenged me too much perhaps? I just don't see any reason to go to Istanbul other than if you are into shopping.
ftc08Aug 1, 2010Buried
I don't think I've ever seen somebody show themselves to be this much of a jackass because I used a big word in context.
harris2004Aug 1, 2010Buried
UAE is not alone, there are few more countries which are considering this option. India, Pakistan, and some other countries are also considering banning the blackberry service.
kanakaAug 1, 2010Buried
You think you've seen the epitome of a policed state in China but then you new challengers for that title.