Religious edict bars camera phones in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority has issued an edict barring the use of cell phones with built-in cameras, blaming them for "spreading obscenity" — a final resort after a ban on their sale and import to the kingdom failed to dent their popularity, reports The Houston Chronicle.

"Sheik Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al al-Sheik, Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority, announced the religious edict Tuesday in remarks to the al-Madina daily newspaper.

The devices, he said, are "spreading obscenity in Muslim society."

Mai Yamani, an analyst with the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, said the ban also had security implications.

"There is the social aspect, of course, but there must also be a security concern in a country where photography is generally banned," she said.

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emily | 8:18 AM | Privacy Concerns |
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