SAUDIS TO BLOCK BLACKBERRY SERVICE
Baku, August 4 (AZERTAC). The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission asked mobile communications companies in Saudi Arabia to halt BlackBerry service in the kingdom beginning August 5, the official Saudi Press Agency reported Tuesday.
The mandate applies to businesses and individuals “because the manufacturer of the devices couldn`t meet the regulatory requirements of the commission and it is not in accordance with the regulations and conditions of licenses issued to service providers, at its present state,” it said.
It did not elaborate.
Research In Motion, the Canadian company that produces the BlackBerry, did not immediately respond to a request for reaction.
Tuesday`s decision comes a day after the United Arab Emirates defended its decision to suspend BlackBerry internet service, with its ambassador in Washington arguing the United States requires the same “regulatory compliance” for national security reasons.
The statement from Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba came after a U.S. State Department spokesman criticized the UAE`s decision to restrict BlackBerry e-mail, instant messaging and Web browsing. Al Otaiba said the comments were “disappointing and contradict the U.S. government`s own approach to telecommunications regulation.”
The state-run Emirates News Agency reported Sunday that the UAE would suspend BlackBerry`s data service as of October 11. The announcement said certain services “allow users to act without any legal accountability, causing judicial, social and national security concerns for the UAE.”
U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley called the move “a dangerous precedent.” He told reporters Monday that the United States supports the free flow of information, “And we will be clarifying with the UAE their reasons for making this announcement.”
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