As you'll remember, last year the United Arab Emirates threatened to suspend BlackBerry services because they couldn't access encrypted email and messaging services. In a new direction, Dubai's Police Department began monitoring social media sites for signs of attempts to organize protests or strikes. This information comes from one of the nations police officers. The officer cited the large foreign laborer population as a major concern for the country. This process has gained impetus following on the heels of social media's major role in the Arab uprisings from the earlier part of the year and the recent riots in Britain.
Earlier this year social media flexed its muscle while helping to create change in the Arab world. Now however, it appears that more oppressive countries have begun to monitor social media enough to effectively squelch dissent. It is interesting to note that social media was effective in helping to cause riots in Britain, but has seemingly lost its power in places that need it more. Dubai is an interesting case of a progressive Middle Eastern country that appears to be regressing out of concerns for the ruling elite.
"Whoever spreads false or malicious news or statements or spreading propaganda which could upset public security could spend between one month to three years in jail," Colonel Abdul Rahim bin Shafi, director of the Interior Ministry's organized crime department in Dubai, told Reuters on Wednesday. He continued, "All media are being monitored, including social media. People can express their opinion without violating (social) norms. Twitter and Facebook were invented to make the world easier but if they were used adversely, the perpetrators will be punished by law."
Approximately 80% of the United Arab Emirates population is foreigner workers, mostly from Asia and the Indian Subcontinent in particular. In the past these workers have gone on strike over low wages and bad working conditions.
At least five activists have been arrested already on charges of incitement and insulting the country's leadership. This is part of UAE security's broader efforts to silence a group of activists calling for more democratic reforms.
Earlier this year social media flexed its muscle while helping to create change in the Arab world. Now however, it appears that more oppressive countries have begun to monitor social media enough to effectively squelch dissent. It is interesting to note that social media was effective in helping to cause riots in Britain, but has seemingly lost its power in places that need it more. Dubai is an interesting case of a progressive Middle Eastern country that appears to be regressing out of concerns for the ruling elite.
"Whoever spreads false or malicious news or statements or spreading propaganda which could upset public security could spend between one month to three years in jail," Colonel Abdul Rahim bin Shafi, director of the Interior Ministry's organized crime department in Dubai, told Reuters on Wednesday. He continued, "All media are being monitored, including social media. People can express their opinion without violating (social) norms. Twitter and Facebook were invented to make the world easier but if they were used adversely, the perpetrators will be punished by law."
Approximately 80% of the United Arab Emirates population is foreigner workers, mostly from Asia and the Indian Subcontinent in particular. In the past these workers have gone on strike over low wages and bad working conditions.
At least five activists have been arrested already on charges of incitement and insulting the country's leadership. This is part of UAE security's broader efforts to silence a group of activists calling for more democratic reforms.
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