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Network Manager- Utilities
Industry: IT & Telecoms
Location: Dubai, UAE -
Assistant Executive System Engineer
Industry: IT & Telecoms
Location: Dubai, UAE
UAE censor targets Facebook, Myspace
by Amy Glass on Thursday, 21 February 2008
NEW RULES: Facebook and Myspace are facing a UAE ban. (Getty Images)
Sections of popular social networking websites Facebook and Myspace will be banned in the UAE under new rules from the nation’s telecom regulator, Emirates Business 24-7 reported on Thursday.
The new regulations regarding access to the internet currently being considered by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) will also apply to Dubai’s Media Free Zone, which presently has unrestricted internet access.
The Internet Penetration Policy is expected to be announced by the end of the year, clarifying the internet content that will be blocked in the Emirates.
A TRA spokesperson said the regulator wanted to encourage cultural interaction in today’s globalised world, and did not intend to deny access to websites that are social portals.
However, sections of social networking websites including Facebook and Myspace, which encouraged dating would be banned under the new policy.
Access to the areas of the websites which excluded those aspects would be allowed.
The spokesperson said the rules will open up many sites that are currently forbidden without risking the UAE’s cultural values.
“At the same time it has to be done without losing our identity, traditions, ethics, morals and culture.”
The policy will be implemented throughout the country.
Last July, the TRA said it had no plans to ban Facebook, but also said websites that offended morals, ethics and values would be targeted.
Facebook is the second most popular website in the Emirates and has more than 64 million active users worldwide.
The UAE's restrictions follow Iran's Facebook ban in September, which Syria followed in November reportedly over fears of Israeli infiltration of Syrian social networks on the website.
Burma and Bhutan are also believed to have banned the site.
Internet censorship is bad for progress
The current content blocks in place against social networking sites in the UAE need to be removed.
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USER COMMENTS (32 COMMENTS)
Facebook ban in the UAE
Posted by Gaurav Tahiliani, Dubai, UAE on 17 May 2008 at 23:25 UAE time
The UAE is targeting many tourists from around the world and they want to make their country one of the best places in the world with loads of foreign residents... But they will not succeed if they block so many websites especially Facebook. They have already blocked Orkut... and facebbok is on the way...
Posted by Gaurav Tahiliani, Dubai, UAE on 17 May 2008 at 23:25 UAE time
The UAE is targeting many tourists from around the world and they want to make their country one of the best places in the world with loads of foreign residents... But they will not succeed if they block so many websites especially Facebook. They have already blocked Orkut... and facebbok is on the way...
UAE can't do it
Posted by Vincent O. Moh, Houston, United States on 19 March 2008 at 05:00 UAE time
I don't see why the UAE thinks it can block - Very few people are actually UAE citizens and many foreigners live on there, so cultural reasons fizzle.
I would think that everyone in the UAE knows how to proxy. It's likely hush-hush, but of course that's how things go.
Posted by Vincent O. Moh, Houston, United States on 19 March 2008 at 05:00 UAE time
I don't see why the UAE thinks it can block - Very few people are actually UAE citizens and many foreigners live on there, so cultural reasons fizzle.
I would think that everyone in the UAE knows how to proxy. It's likely hush-hush, but of course that's how things go.
Worng approach for modern Arabia!
Posted by Philip, Dubai, UAE on 28 February 2008 at 14:58 UAE time
EDUCATE your countrymen, DO NOT DICTATE.
Through education comes understanding,
Through dictation comes rebellion.
I'm sure the successfully progressive thinker Sheikh Mohammed believes in education, so please demonstrate it in this case.
The main problem with a dictatorship is that it is subjective. For example, WHY is www.last.fm currently blocked? There is no dating, no porn, nothing to offend the UAE's cultural identity. Just people sharing comment and expanding their musical horizons. Where is the crime?
Also, the UAE MUST offer a viable VoIP solution before blocking external services! PRIME EXAMPLE OF SLOWING DOWN PROGRESS.
Lastly, why CENSOR in a FREE zone? The UAE must rename these zones to "PARTIALLY-FREE ZONE" - otherwise they are telling a lie.
Posted by Philip, Dubai, UAE on 28 February 2008 at 14:58 UAE time
EDUCATE your countrymen, DO NOT DICTATE.
Through education comes understanding,
Through dictation comes rebellion.
I'm sure the successfully progressive thinker Sheikh Mohammed believes in education, so please demonstrate it in this case.
The main problem with a dictatorship is that it is subjective. For example, WHY is www.last.fm currently blocked? There is no dating, no porn, nothing to offend the UAE's cultural identity. Just people sharing comment and expanding their musical horizons. Where is the crime?
Also, the UAE MUST offer a viable VoIP solution before blocking external services! PRIME EXAMPLE OF SLOWING DOWN PROGRESS.
Lastly, why CENSOR in a FREE zone? The UAE must rename these zones to "PARTIALLY-FREE ZONE" - otherwise they are telling a lie.
The responsibility of freedom
Posted by Karen Elizabeth, Cottonwood, USA on 27 February 2008 at 09:38 UAE time
Hello to Munir El Kadi from Karen,
As a mother of six children I appreciate what you are saying about protecting your children from influences that would not build good character. Three of my children, who are all in their twenties have their photos and friends, interests and even beliefs posted on My Space. To them it is a place to share the music they love, (sometimes Christian music), and the fun and friends that are in their life. There isn't anything immoral at all on any of their pages. As you have said, there are many people who use Facebook as a tool to connect with their friends.
America was at one time following more closely it's Christian roots which means that some have forgotten good character and good choices. But not all. There are many good people in America who like to help others and love to do what is right. As fellow citizens of this world we live in, we all must learn to choose between what is good and what is evil. If that choice is overwhelming and difficult there is always the strength that a kind and good God will give us when we ask for help. Facebook and My Space can be a place used for good. There will always be people who might abuse it, but not just in Facebook or My Space but in many places and opportunities the world offers. We just have to maintain the strength to go in a better direction. I still believe in freedom, but I think with freedom comes responsibility...and gratefulness.
Posted by Karen Elizabeth, Cottonwood, USA on 27 February 2008 at 09:38 UAE time
Hello to Munir El Kadi from Karen,
As a mother of six children I appreciate what you are saying about protecting your children from influences that would not build good character. Three of my children, who are all in their twenties have their photos and friends, interests and even beliefs posted on My Space. To them it is a place to share the music they love, (sometimes Christian music), and the fun and friends that are in their life. There isn't anything immoral at all on any of their pages. As you have said, there are many people who use Facebook as a tool to connect with their friends.
America was at one time following more closely it's Christian roots which means that some have forgotten good character and good choices. But not all. There are many good people in America who like to help others and love to do what is right. As fellow citizens of this world we live in, we all must learn to choose between what is good and what is evil. If that choice is overwhelming and difficult there is always the strength that a kind and good God will give us when we ask for help. Facebook and My Space can be a place used for good. There will always be people who might abuse it, but not just in Facebook or My Space but in many places and opportunities the world offers. We just have to maintain the strength to go in a better direction. I still believe in freedom, but I think with freedom comes responsibility...and gratefulness.
internet ban
Posted by ... on 25 February 2008 at 16:14 UAE time
This is really silly... the UAE is supposed to be a leading city in the world, yet there are restrictions on web sites?
Why do some fashion, art, music... sites have to be blocked?
Posted by ... on 25 February 2008 at 16:14 UAE time
This is really silly... the UAE is supposed to be a leading city in the world, yet there are restrictions on web sites?
Why do some fashion, art, music... sites have to be blocked?
No Valid Argument for Censorship
Posted by theshadow, Dubai, UAE on 25 February 2008 at 02:14 UAE time
Preserving and protecting "identity, traditions, ethics, morals and culture" seems like a noble aim on the face of it but I fail to see any logical way in which censoring the Internet will achieve these goals.
First of all, the population here is far from homogenous, therefore there is no single set of filtering practices or a magic list of websites to block that will ensure that the content of the Internet is compatible with any single set of cultural beliefs.
Secondly,within each cultural subgroup there is a wide spectrum of indivudual opinions as to what is objecitonable and what is not.
As such it's hard to see any point or logic in a centrally managed content filtering system since any such system is destined to be inherently flawed from the get-go.
However if somebody can manage to draft some sort of coherent filtering policy that speaks to "everybody's" interests, how do you apply such an imperfect and subjective vetting system to censoring the Internet - which is the largest, most fluid and most rapidly evolving source of information the world has ever seen - in anything but a clumsy manner?
Ergo - centralized filtering = Epic Fail.
Given that centralized filtering is inherently flawed, the next question is - would having an flawed content filtering system be more beneficial than having than none at all?
It's hard to see any clear benefits to be had from blocking web content for mature individuals, who are assumed in any society to be morally aware and intelligent beings who are capable of knowing right from wrong and acting accordingly. After all, we do let these same people drive cars, own property, have children and generally run the local economy don't we?
Censor their internet and all that is likely to happen is that these people will be inconvenienced and annoyed at best, or be less productive at worst if unable to find crucial bits of information. This actually harms society.
Besides, when mature indivuduals go too far in pursuit of their individualisms we already have a safety net (no pun intended) - the law enforcement agencies and courts system of the country take care of that, so there would seem to be no tangible benefit to having a centralized internet content system in terms of improving the behaviour of the adult population.
Which leaves the precious innocent minds which are "immature", impresisonable and truly "in need of protection". For these individuals there is already a wonderfully effective invention called "client side filtering software", which lets responsible individuals define and block objectionable content for themselves and for their dependents on their own computers and according to their own values.
If the government/TRA truly cares about benefitting society, the choice is clear - provide "preconfigured" client-side filtering software to each and every internet user for free along with the internet package and then put the power in the hands of each and every iindividual to act responsibly in terms of how far to open the floodgates in the interest of itheir own best sense of dentity, traditions, ethics, morals and culture”.
Bingo. Epic Win.
Posted by theshadow, Dubai, UAE on 25 February 2008 at 02:14 UAE time
Preserving and protecting "identity, traditions, ethics, morals and culture" seems like a noble aim on the face of it but I fail to see any logical way in which censoring the Internet will achieve these goals.
First of all, the population here is far from homogenous, therefore there is no single set of filtering practices or a magic list of websites to block that will ensure that the content of the Internet is compatible with any single set of cultural beliefs.
Secondly,within each cultural subgroup there is a wide spectrum of indivudual opinions as to what is objecitonable and what is not.
As such it's hard to see any point or logic in a centrally managed content filtering system since any such system is destined to be inherently flawed from the get-go.
However if somebody can manage to draft some sort of coherent filtering policy that speaks to "everybody's" interests, how do you apply such an imperfect and subjective vetting system to censoring the Internet - which is the largest, most fluid and most rapidly evolving source of information the world has ever seen - in anything but a clumsy manner?
Ergo - centralized filtering = Epic Fail.
Given that centralized filtering is inherently flawed, the next question is - would having an flawed content filtering system be more beneficial than having than none at all?
It's hard to see any clear benefits to be had from blocking web content for mature individuals, who are assumed in any society to be morally aware and intelligent beings who are capable of knowing right from wrong and acting accordingly. After all, we do let these same people drive cars, own property, have children and generally run the local economy don't we?
Censor their internet and all that is likely to happen is that these people will be inconvenienced and annoyed at best, or be less productive at worst if unable to find crucial bits of information. This actually harms society.
Besides, when mature indivuduals go too far in pursuit of their individualisms we already have a safety net (no pun intended) - the law enforcement agencies and courts system of the country take care of that, so there would seem to be no tangible benefit to having a centralized internet content system in terms of improving the behaviour of the adult population.
Which leaves the precious innocent minds which are "immature", impresisonable and truly "in need of protection". For these individuals there is already a wonderfully effective invention called "client side filtering software", which lets responsible individuals define and block objectionable content for themselves and for their dependents on their own computers and according to their own values.
If the government/TRA truly cares about benefitting society, the choice is clear - provide "preconfigured" client-side filtering software to each and every internet user for free along with the internet package and then put the power in the hands of each and every iindividual to act responsibly in terms of how far to open the floodgates in the interest of itheir own best sense of dentity, traditions, ethics, morals and culture”.
Bingo. Epic Win.
SHOW ALL COMMENTS
proxy
Posted by Alex on 25 February 2008 at 00:42 UAE time
still thr is a way to bypass, using VPN or Proxy.. so who cares...
Posted by Alex on 25 February 2008 at 00:42 UAE time
still thr is a way to bypass, using VPN or Proxy.. so who cares...
Facebook in the Free Zones
Posted by Stu, Dubai, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 23:35 UAE time
It appears the TRA is not aware of the regulations that first set up the free zones.... "where there is a conflict between the rules of the Free Zone and the laws of the UAE, the rules of the Free Zone shall prevail". Therefore, they are under no obligation to introduce internet filtering in these locations as the Free Zone does not have any rules banning web content.
Posted by Stu, Dubai, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 23:35 UAE time
It appears the TRA is not aware of the regulations that first set up the free zones.... "where there is a conflict between the rules of the Free Zone and the laws of the UAE, the rules of the Free Zone shall prevail". Therefore, they are under no obligation to introduce internet filtering in these locations as the Free Zone does not have any rules banning web content.
Facebook Ban
Posted by SJD, Dubai, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 22:26 UAE time
What is the point of showing Dubai as a world city, when they will block the basic meaning of a global society. By blocking content, authorities are only frustrating thousands of people who genuinely use these sites to maintain their friend/family circle, while away from them.
Posted by SJD, Dubai, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 22:26 UAE time
What is the point of showing Dubai as a world city, when they will block the basic meaning of a global society. By blocking content, authorities are only frustrating thousands of people who genuinely use these sites to maintain their friend/family circle, while away from them.
Further to my comment
Posted by Munir El Kadi, Abu Dhabi,, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 22:13 UAE time
Further to my earlier comment, is that while ensuring dating sections are controlled, the regular networking aspect of Facebook should remain.
I encourage my son to go ahead and meet old friends online, as well as my wife.
I have also benefitted from facebook through restablishing contacts with friends I had in Hi School and later students I have taught, many are living in different places around the world
Posted by Munir El Kadi, Abu Dhabi,, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 22:13 UAE time
Further to my earlier comment, is that while ensuring dating sections are controlled, the regular networking aspect of Facebook should remain.
I encourage my son to go ahead and meet old friends online, as well as my wife.
I have also benefitted from facebook through restablishing contacts with friends I had in Hi School and later students I have taught, many are living in different places around the world
Censorship in face book only related to pages related to dating
Posted by Munir El Kadi, Abu Dhabi,, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 22:07 UAE time
Hi Karen,
I don't know if you noticed that the sections bad will cover only sections related to morally offending pages. I guess we have the right to protect our younger generations from undesired effects of globalization, while still maintaining our connection with the world.
Actually, my wife, who is a Canadian (her name is Jennifer) is one of those who emailed etisalat, with a request to censor sections of face book that she felt was abusing the use of Facebook by changing it to a a morally degrading social networking site.
To tell you the truth, most of us living here prefer it here because at least we know that our kids are morally and physically protected from the dangerous aspects of modernization, while maintaining those positive aspects.
Posted by Munir El Kadi, Abu Dhabi,, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 22:07 UAE time
Hi Karen,
I don't know if you noticed that the sections bad will cover only sections related to morally offending pages. I guess we have the right to protect our younger generations from undesired effects of globalization, while still maintaining our connection with the world.
Actually, my wife, who is a Canadian (her name is Jennifer) is one of those who emailed etisalat, with a request to censor sections of face book that she felt was abusing the use of Facebook by changing it to a a morally degrading social networking site.
To tell you the truth, most of us living here prefer it here because at least we know that our kids are morally and physically protected from the dangerous aspects of modernization, while maintaining those positive aspects.
To those who lead us backwards - Trend and Direction is the other way
Posted by Abu Qais, Dubai, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 21:25 UAE time
I want my kids to think out side of your box, I want them to use any channel or medium to learn, read, and compose utilizing all the available tools and technologies that enables and encourage innovation, creativity, well being, freedom, privacy, democracy and human rights. I do not want your involvement in maintaining my identity, culture, tradittions, and values that I hold as a Muslim and as an Arabic human being. I can do that by my own, and I can teach my kids how to maintain it by themselves. it has to come from within. the facebook or any other social network should be the tools that we should use in this new knowledge economy and new world order to communicate and market our believes, causes, and messages to the civilized world. the sounds that you make around this issue is not even louder than the tiny breadth of my very little babyboy. You should not be allowed to do that to the majority of us. Try creating a national Poll and lets see the results!
Posted by Abu Qais, Dubai, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 21:25 UAE time
I want my kids to think out side of your box, I want them to use any channel or medium to learn, read, and compose utilizing all the available tools and technologies that enables and encourage innovation, creativity, well being, freedom, privacy, democracy and human rights. I do not want your involvement in maintaining my identity, culture, tradittions, and values that I hold as a Muslim and as an Arabic human being. I can do that by my own, and I can teach my kids how to maintain it by themselves. it has to come from within. the facebook or any other social network should be the tools that we should use in this new knowledge economy and new world order to communicate and market our believes, causes, and messages to the civilized world. the sounds that you make around this issue is not even louder than the tiny breadth of my very little babyboy. You should not be allowed to do that to the majority of us. Try creating a national Poll and lets see the results!
Hypocrisy entrenched
Posted by Baan, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 13:37 UAE time
Raj, you took the words right out of my mouth. Couldn't have said it any better.
I can't believe that a country like the UAE, that's 'supposed' to be the paragon of modernity, democracy and progressive thinking in the region is on par with Syria and Iran in its effort to ban such sites.
Posted by Baan, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 13:37 UAE time
Raj, you took the words right out of my mouth. Couldn't have said it any better.
I can't believe that a country like the UAE, that's 'supposed' to be the paragon of modernity, democracy and progressive thinking in the region is on par with Syria and Iran in its effort to ban such sites.
Getting to know another culture
Posted by Karen Elizabeth, Cottonwood, USA on 24 February 2008 at 05:49 UAE time
What a wonderful opportunity we in America have to hear from those across the world in Dubai and India. We love getting to know you. We may never see your faces but we hear your heart and long to know more about you. When I read your comments about wanting to keep the freedom of access to Facebook and other social networks my own heart is moved and my hope is that your desire will be fulfilled. It is best when an avoidance of immorality comes from one's own heart, out of a love for the God who loves him.
Posted by Karen Elizabeth, Cottonwood, USA on 24 February 2008 at 05:49 UAE time
What a wonderful opportunity we in America have to hear from those across the world in Dubai and India. We love getting to know you. We may never see your faces but we hear your heart and long to know more about you. When I read your comments about wanting to keep the freedom of access to Facebook and other social networks my own heart is moved and my hope is that your desire will be fulfilled. It is best when an avoidance of immorality comes from one's own heart, out of a love for the God who loves him.
Banning Facebook
Posted by Nasser, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 01:43 UAE time
I have been using Facebook for almost one year, and I have been communicating with my friends all over the world and enjoying sending them gifts and drinks for free, and I don't think its fair banning it, but you better regularize the usage and block some bad access on it, which already blocked.
Posted by Nasser, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 24 February 2008 at 01:43 UAE time
I have been using Facebook for almost one year, and I have been communicating with my friends all over the world and enjoying sending them gifts and drinks for free, and I don't think its fair banning it, but you better regularize the usage and block some bad access on it, which already blocked.
facebook
Posted by saqib, dubai, uae on 24 February 2008 at 01:42 UAE time
It is a good move to ban such sites by the TRA. My feeling is children are spoiled by these sites, specially teenagers. I will support the TRA to ban all such sites.
Posted by saqib, dubai, uae on 24 February 2008 at 01:42 UAE time
It is a good move to ban such sites by the TRA. My feeling is children are spoiled by these sites, specially teenagers. I will support the TRA to ban all such sites.
Some Games on Facebook like Knighthood
Posted by Ken Spyce, Abu Dhabi on 23 February 2008 at 19:03 UAE time
It's certainly odd that some games are getting blocked (for example: Knighthood found at http://knight.fb.hive7.com/)
Hive7.com has a subdomain which may be about dating.
However blocking the entire domain which contains interesting and fun games is a little too extreme.
Why should the entire domain be blocked?
Why not filter the site properly? I believe that they do not really "thoroughly investigate" the site.
The thing is, I don't believe that they would even check any of these sites even when you complain on their website's complaints section which require the complainee to be subscribed to etisalat's service. How would other people complain then? Who would take the complainees seriously? Who would take us who write comments on these boards seriously?
Posted by Ken Spyce, Abu Dhabi on 23 February 2008 at 19:03 UAE time
It's certainly odd that some games are getting blocked (for example: Knighthood found at http://knight.fb.hive7.com/)
Hive7.com has a subdomain which may be about dating.
However blocking the entire domain which contains interesting and fun games is a little too extreme.
Why should the entire domain be blocked?
Why not filter the site properly? I believe that they do not really "thoroughly investigate" the site.
The thing is, I don't believe that they would even check any of these sites even when you complain on their website's complaints section which require the complainee to be subscribed to etisalat's service. How would other people complain then? Who would take the complainees seriously? Who would take us who write comments on these boards seriously?
why not ban computer, as it is the root cause?
Posted by Raj, Dubai, UAE on 23 February 2008 at 11:52 UAE time
It is a very strange situation and I don't understand whether to criticize or appreciate the move.
The human brain invented computers, there are lot of issues happening with inventions, i.e. hacking, pishing, etc and still people are using it. Since the computer is the source of all such things, the reductio ad absurdum argument is why not ban the computer itself.
The human brain invented the automobile, again there are lot of issues happening with the invention, i.e. accidents, loss of life etc. and still people are using them. Why not ban an atuomobile itself. Or stop them going above 15mph?
The human brain invented the aeroplane and people are traveling, there are lot of issues happening with the invention, i.e. hijacks, crashes, etc and people are either dying or suffering. Why not ban aeroplane itself?
If the above are not banned, why Orkut, Facebook, MySpace?
These sites are created for social networking, getting in touch with old friends. If someone with less moral values abuses it, is banning the sites the only solution?
Likewise, flickr, a photosharing website, a lot of my friends and family use it and send invites to see their albums, but unfortunately, I cannot, because I live in the UAE.
My employer doesn't allow calls to friends during working hours, the country doesn't allow us to be in touch with near and dear ones, we don't have the privilege to go for cheapest VoIP option, we cannot get cheapest satellite connection to watch TV channels, though it is available in other countries and we still tend to live here.
But this may not last forever: opportunities are flooding elsewhere. The UAE needs to take note.
Posted by Raj, Dubai, UAE on 23 February 2008 at 11:52 UAE time
It is a very strange situation and I don't understand whether to criticize or appreciate the move.
The human brain invented computers, there are lot of issues happening with inventions, i.e. hacking, pishing, etc and still people are using it. Since the computer is the source of all such things, the reductio ad absurdum argument is why not ban the computer itself.
The human brain invented the automobile, again there are lot of issues happening with the invention, i.e. accidents, loss of life etc. and still people are using them. Why not ban an atuomobile itself. Or stop them going above 15mph?
The human brain invented the aeroplane and people are traveling, there are lot of issues happening with the invention, i.e. hijacks, crashes, etc and people are either dying or suffering. Why not ban aeroplane itself?
If the above are not banned, why Orkut, Facebook, MySpace?
These sites are created for social networking, getting in touch with old friends. If someone with less moral values abuses it, is banning the sites the only solution?
Likewise, flickr, a photosharing website, a lot of my friends and family use it and send invites to see their albums, but unfortunately, I cannot, because I live in the UAE.
My employer doesn't allow calls to friends during working hours, the country doesn't allow us to be in touch with near and dear ones, we don't have the privilege to go for cheapest VoIP option, we cannot get cheapest satellite connection to watch TV channels, though it is available in other countries and we still tend to live here.
But this may not last forever: opportunities are flooding elsewhere. The UAE needs to take note.
Dating?
Posted by Jithin, Sharjah, UAE on 23 February 2008 at 10:04 UAE time
When I contacted Etisalat regarding Orkut, they said it was a dating site, and so it was blocked.
Now facebook too is a dating site.. Come on TRA, there are lots of other things to do in Dubai, other than banning these sites to increase the morale of the people. Or are they unaware of those stuff?
All the other kind of 'bad' things are allowed here in UAE, and if you ask anyone who comes to Dubai for holidays, they say, "you get everything in the UAE". And the people living over here, don't even get to access site without any restrictions. May be like Sohaib said, it is because Facebook doesn't add to the GDP of the UAE!!
Posted by Jithin, Sharjah, UAE on 23 February 2008 at 10:04 UAE time
When I contacted Etisalat regarding Orkut, they said it was a dating site, and so it was blocked.
Now facebook too is a dating site.. Come on TRA, there are lots of other things to do in Dubai, other than banning these sites to increase the morale of the people. Or are they unaware of those stuff?
All the other kind of 'bad' things are allowed here in UAE, and if you ask anyone who comes to Dubai for holidays, they say, "you get everything in the UAE". And the people living over here, don't even get to access site without any restrictions. May be like Sohaib said, it is because Facebook doesn't add to the GDP of the UAE!!
Facebook Content Censorship
Posted by Sohaib, Sharjah, UAE on 22 February 2008 at 15:34 UAE time
The regulatory 'authorities' should actually move their resources into stopping more pressing issues. That is the kind of issues that should be dealt with rather than some social networking website with 'content'. Or is it because Facebook does not add to the country's GDP and is hence declared illegal?
Posted by Sohaib, Sharjah, UAE on 22 February 2008 at 15:34 UAE time
The regulatory 'authorities' should actually move their resources into stopping more pressing issues. That is the kind of issues that should be dealt with rather than some social networking website with 'content'. Or is it because Facebook does not add to the country's GDP and is hence declared illegal?
Huh?!
Posted by Mohamed, Dubai on 22 February 2008 at 14:02 UAE time
What on earth is Firozali talking about? This must be the most non-sensical comment I've ever read. This overly zealous go at censorship seems to contradict a lot of what is liberal about the UAE. It's all really confusing.
Let them block or censor whatever they please. Those of us who are bent on circumventing censorships will always find a way around it. They are just wasting their time.
Posted by Mohamed, Dubai on 22 February 2008 at 14:02 UAE time
What on earth is Firozali talking about? This must be the most non-sensical comment I've ever read. This overly zealous go at censorship seems to contradict a lot of what is liberal about the UAE. It's all really confusing.
Let them block or censor whatever they please. Those of us who are bent on circumventing censorships will always find a way around it. They are just wasting their time.
Facebook banned??
Posted by Sharif Abdul Hafeez, Sharjah, UAE on 22 February 2008 at 09:22 UAE time
I am pretty sure that the authorities have their reasons for banning Facebook but does that have to be the only solution that exists. I realize that there might be limits to what people can access on the internet but think of it like this.
If the authorities that allowed an "Etisalat" monopoly to run for 15 years forced them to fund huge parenting campaigns, they would not have to worry about kids running after immoral activities.
Posted by Sharif Abdul Hafeez, Sharjah, UAE on 22 February 2008 at 09:22 UAE time
I am pretty sure that the authorities have their reasons for banning Facebook but does that have to be the only solution that exists. I realize that there might be limits to what people can access on the internet but think of it like this.
If the authorities that allowed an "Etisalat" monopoly to run for 15 years forced them to fund huge parenting campaigns, they would not have to worry about kids running after immoral activities.
censoring
Posted by sam, dubai on 22 February 2008 at 04:25 UAE time
I think every adult person can censor and control his browsing, no need for censoring by Etisalat. If any one doesn't like a site, he or she should not enter it, if your morals are strong enough than you can censor yourself, also censoring makes browsing very slow and sometimes they censor medical sites and news sites and telecommunications sites for the benefit of Etisalat.
Posted by sam, dubai on 22 February 2008 at 04:25 UAE time
I think every adult person can censor and control his browsing, no need for censoring by Etisalat. If any one doesn't like a site, he or she should not enter it, if your morals are strong enough than you can censor yourself, also censoring makes browsing very slow and sometimes they censor medical sites and news sites and telecommunications sites for the benefit of Etisalat.
Banning Facebook is a mistaken decision
Posted by Reshma Tahiliani, Dubai, India on 21 February 2008 at 23:43 UAE time
If the UAE wishes to retain its culture, traditions and values, I think that Facebook is not its only threat. Inviting people from various cultural affiliations to live in this country could create influences that are foreign and strange to the local culture. Moreover, it is known that whenever any Government prohibits something, the attraction to it grows stronger and people find ways to circumvent the restrictions. Making people more aware of the dangers of Facebook and initiating online debates and dialogues are better solutions.
Millions are connected to Facebook and it is a meeting point for old and new friends. Banning Facebook would mean banning friends from meeting online. How does it help to ban camaraderie?
Posted by Reshma Tahiliani, Dubai, India on 21 February 2008 at 23:43 UAE time
If the UAE wishes to retain its culture, traditions and values, I think that Facebook is not its only threat. Inviting people from various cultural affiliations to live in this country could create influences that are foreign and strange to the local culture. Moreover, it is known that whenever any Government prohibits something, the attraction to it grows stronger and people find ways to circumvent the restrictions. Making people more aware of the dangers of Facebook and initiating online debates and dialogues are better solutions.
Millions are connected to Facebook and it is a meeting point for old and new friends. Banning Facebook would mean banning friends from meeting online. How does it help to ban camaraderie?
facebook comments
Posted by Leo, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 21 February 2008 at 23:21 UAE time
Amazing you can be so well educated and still have a mind so closed it cannot understand that it's not the site that's bad but the people who abuse it. For most people it's a useful tool for keeping in touch with friends and relatives we are distanced from; not enforced "friendships"
Posted by Leo, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 21 February 2008 at 23:21 UAE time
Amazing you can be so well educated and still have a mind so closed it cannot understand that it's not the site that's bad but the people who abuse it. For most people it's a useful tool for keeping in touch with friends and relatives we are distanced from; not enforced "friendships"
FaceBook is Great
Posted by Anthea on 21 February 2008 at 22:20 UAE time
After leaving my "home country" where all my old friends and family are, it is nice to be able to "bump" into them in FaceBook. If you are not looking to find new "friends" you will not find them. This is a site were good old friends can find each other.
I love FaceBook in that I can find my old friends that maybe had I been living in the same country I would have bumped into.
If you need to block the dating site do so, but please allow us to contact our old friends, Who Remembers Me has already been blocked!
Posted by Anthea on 21 February 2008 at 22:20 UAE time
After leaving my "home country" where all my old friends and family are, it is nice to be able to "bump" into them in FaceBook. If you are not looking to find new "friends" you will not find them. This is a site were good old friends can find each other.
I love FaceBook in that I can find my old friends that maybe had I been living in the same country I would have bumped into.
If you need to block the dating site do so, but please allow us to contact our old friends, Who Remembers Me has already been blocked!
Cyber Cultural Exchange
Posted by T Crowe, Fayetteville AR, USA on 21 February 2008 at 20:27 UAE time
Facebook and myspace offer much more than the possible negative issue. The dating aspect is one very small segment of these online communities. I utilize myspace as a learning project for my students in Sociology. They build a myspace page and make friends from around the world to learn about their respective cultures and "the life" through bloging the information. The commonalities found by my students who are exploring the world through accessing these cyber communities brings understanding and respect for our world of global diversity. We find universal interests which include, art, cinima, enviromental issues, family, fashion, hobbies, literature, music, sports, religion, etc. I have found that the positive aspects far outweighed the negative. I personally have met people from all over the world. I have even made trips around the world to visit my"cyber-friends" in their homelands with inturns creates real-life friends. I would have never been able to open the door of goodwill to meet these wonderful individuals if I did not have access to (myspace / facebook) online networking communities. We are all aware of the negative aspects of the internet. However, we must also acknowledge the great possibilities offered by these on-line cyber communities for bridging cultures and societies, to know the people of the world. T Crowe O'Rourke Semler www.myspace.com/tcrowesemler
Posted by T Crowe, Fayetteville AR, USA on 21 February 2008 at 20:27 UAE time
Facebook and myspace offer much more than the possible negative issue. The dating aspect is one very small segment of these online communities. I utilize myspace as a learning project for my students in Sociology. They build a myspace page and make friends from around the world to learn about their respective cultures and "the life" through bloging the information. The commonalities found by my students who are exploring the world through accessing these cyber communities brings understanding and respect for our world of global diversity. We find universal interests which include, art, cinima, enviromental issues, family, fashion, hobbies, literature, music, sports, religion, etc. I have found that the positive aspects far outweighed the negative. I personally have met people from all over the world. I have even made trips around the world to visit my"cyber-friends" in their homelands with inturns creates real-life friends. I would have never been able to open the door of goodwill to meet these wonderful individuals if I did not have access to (myspace / facebook) online networking communities. We are all aware of the negative aspects of the internet. However, we must also acknowledge the great possibilities offered by these on-line cyber communities for bridging cultures and societies, to know the people of the world. T Crowe O'Rourke Semler www.myspace.com/tcrowesemler
Ironic how they call it....
Posted by sean wilson, Canada on 21 February 2008 at 20:01 UAE time
Its' ironic how they call it "Internet Free Zone". Just another government filter. Ask the government how many shark attacks there were in the past 5 years.
Posted by sean wilson, Canada on 21 February 2008 at 20:01 UAE time
Its' ironic how they call it "Internet Free Zone". Just another government filter. Ask the government how many shark attacks there were in the past 5 years.
Banning websites/censorship
Posted by Salah, Dubai, UAE on 21 February 2008 at 17:39 UAE time
To be honest people from this region are very big hypocrites. There are things going on by the people of the very nations who are trying to block these sites that are far worse than just dating or networking. We all know this. This is just another way the "regulator" is trying to suppress all this and the people from the outside world. Look at the countries who have all blocked these; all oppressive governments with big human rights and social issues.
Posted by Salah, Dubai, UAE on 21 February 2008 at 17:39 UAE time
To be honest people from this region are very big hypocrites. There are things going on by the people of the very nations who are trying to block these sites that are far worse than just dating or networking. We all know this. This is just another way the "regulator" is trying to suppress all this and the people from the outside world. Look at the countries who have all blocked these; all oppressive governments with big human rights and social issues.
Censorship
Posted by sana on 21 February 2008 at 17:11 UAE time
Don't networks have anything else to do. Last year they blocked Orkut and know this time they are planning to restrict Facebook. It's not worth it. Facebook websites help us to gain more knowledge with the help of groups or even can remain in touch with friends.
Posted by sana on 21 February 2008 at 17:11 UAE time
Don't networks have anything else to do. Last year they blocked Orkut and know this time they are planning to restrict Facebook. It's not worth it. Facebook websites help us to gain more knowledge with the help of groups or even can remain in touch with friends.
Banning parts of Face Book
Posted by Raj, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 21 February 2008 at 16:07 UAE time
I think Facebook it is a clean community from what I can see. I have never come across anything untoward.
Posted by Raj, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 21 February 2008 at 16:07 UAE time
I think Facebook it is a clean community from what I can see. I have never come across anything untoward.
FaceBook is out
Posted by Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD, Dubai, UAE on 21 February 2008 at 15:41 UAE time
I welcome this news. I think there are other sites and also the authorities would be advised to look into a close look and close this too. The sites all that welcome you a friend, in a group, needs a check. This will tell many net cafes also to be careful. In economics we say there is no free lunch, How come we are given free here the friend of all sorts? What are more the sites are doing not have the real friends. The site operates lure you to talk and then slot in, “Pleases subscribe for dollars 9.90 per annum, or premium 25. and gold 56.00
I thank you
Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD
Posted by Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD, Dubai, UAE on 21 February 2008 at 15:41 UAE time
I welcome this news. I think there are other sites and also the authorities would be advised to look into a close look and close this too. The sites all that welcome you a friend, in a group, needs a check. This will tell many net cafes also to be careful. In economics we say there is no free lunch, How come we are given free here the friend of all sorts? What are more the sites are doing not have the real friends. The site operates lure you to talk and then slot in, “Pleases subscribe for dollars 9.90 per annum, or premium 25. and gold 56.00
I thank you
Firozali A.Mulla MBA PhD
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