January 1, 2005
Saudi to punish "immoral" use of 3G phones
Saudi Arabia will punish anyone using third generation (3G) mobile phones for purposes deemed immoral in the conservative Muslim kingdom, the state telecommunications regulator says, reports Reuters.
"The warning from the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) came on Saturday as it officially handed over the oil-rich kingdom's first 3G licence to mobile phone operator Ettihad Etisalat.
3G mobile phones can access the Internet, which is strictly controlled in Saudi Arabia, and receive high quality video clips from adult sites.
"We expect (3G) providers to follow the same rules as Internet providers," said CITC Information Technology General Manager Ahmed Sindi.
"The challenge is that this technology is commensurate with our moral values. There will be laws and procedures that govern the use of the technology and people will be punished for its misuse."
A ban was recently overturned on the import and sale of mobile camera phones. Religious leaders said they are used to invade privacy, particularly of women.
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