of Oman or could cause harm to any third party,’’ as any abuse and misuse of the Internet services will ‘‘result in the termination of the subscription and/or in the proceedings of Criminal or Civil lawsuits against the Customer.’’ 33
Another example is Yemen, where the terms and conditions set by the ISP TeleYemen
(or Y.Net) prohibits ‘‘sending any message which is offensive on moral, religious, communal, or political grounds.’’ TeleYemen reserves the right to control access ‘‘and data
stored in the Y.Net system in any manner deemed appropriate by TeleYemen.’’ Section
6.3.3 cautions subscribers that TeleYemen will report ‘‘any use or attempted use of the
Y.Net service which contravenes any applicable Law of the Republic of Yemen.’’ 34
Telecommunications Laws
Telecommunications laws are used to control what ISPs can and cannot host. In Algeria, for example, article 14 of a 1998 telecommunications decree makes ISPs responsible
for the Web sites they host and requires them to take ‘‘all necessary steps to ensure
constant surveillance’’ of content to prevent access to ‘‘material contrary to public
order and morality.’’ 35 Bahrain’s Telecommunications Law of 2002 contains penalties
for illicit use of the Internet, including the transmission of messages that are offensive
to public policy or morals. 36 In Tunisia, the 1998 post and telecommunications law
enables the authorities to intercept and check the content of e-mail messages. 37 Electronic surveillance such as filtering of e-mail messages of government opponents has
been reported in Tunisia. 38
Surveillance and Monitoring
Measures to monitor Internet activities, particularly in Internet cafe ´s, have been introduced in many Arab countries. In Algeria, security forces started raiding Internet cafe ´s
and checking the browsing history of Internet users after terrorist attacks hit the country in April 2007. In April 2008, the security forces increased their monitoring and
surveillance efforts of Internet cafe ´s, and cafe ´s were required to collect names and identification numbers of their customers and report this information, together with any
suspicious activities, to the police. 39
Similarly, in March 2008 Jordan began to increase restrictions on the country’s Internet cafe ´s. Cameras were installed in Internet cafe ´s to monitor users, and owners were
required to register the IP number of the cafe ´, their users’ personal data, the time of
use, and the data of Web sites explored. 40
Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior in April 2009 ordered Internet cafe ´s
to install hidden cameras and provide a record of names and identities of their customers. 41 In Kuwait, Internet cafe ´ owners also were required to maintain a record
of customers’ names and identifications, which they must submit to the Ministry of
Communications upon request. 42
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MENA Overview
Another example is Yemen, where the terms and conditions set by the ISP TeleYemen
(or Y.Net) prohibits ‘‘sending any message which is offensive on moral, religious, communal, or political grounds.’’ TeleYemen reserves the right to control access ‘‘and data
stored in the Y.Net system in any manner deemed appropriate by TeleYemen.’’ Section
6.3.3 cautions subscribers that TeleYemen will report ‘‘any use or attempted use of the
Y.Net service which contravenes any applicable Law of the Republic of Yemen.’’ 34
Telecommunications Laws
Telecommunications laws are used to control what ISPs can and cannot host. In Algeria, for example, article 14 of a 1998 telecommunications decree makes ISPs responsible
for the Web sites they host and requires them to take ‘‘all necessary steps to ensure
constant surveillance’’ of content to prevent access to ‘‘material contrary to public
order and morality.’’ 35 Bahrain’s Telecommunications Law of 2002 contains penalties
for illicit use of the Internet, including the transmission of messages that are offensive
to public policy or morals. 36 In Tunisia, the 1998 post and telecommunications law
enables the authorities to intercept and check the content of e-mail messages. 37 Electronic surveillance such as filtering of e-mail messages of government opponents has
been reported in Tunisia. 38
Surveillance and Monitoring
Measures to monitor Internet activities, particularly in Internet cafe ´s, have been introduced in many Arab countries. In Algeria, security forces started raiding Internet cafe ´s
and checking the browsing history of Internet users after terrorist attacks hit the country in April 2007. In April 2008, the security forces increased their monitoring and
surveillance efforts of Internet cafe ´s, and cafe ´s were required to collect names and identification numbers of their customers and report this information, together with any
suspicious activities, to the police. 39
Similarly, in March 2008 Jordan began to increase restrictions on the country’s Internet cafe ´s. Cameras were installed in Internet cafe ´s to monitor users, and owners were
required to register the IP number of the cafe ´, their users’ personal data, the time of
use, and the data of Web sites explored. 40
Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior in April 2009 ordered Internet cafe ´s
to install hidden cameras and provide a record of names and identities of their customers. 41 In Kuwait, Internet cafe ´ owners also were required to maintain a record
of customers’ names and identifications, which they must submit to the Ministry of
Communications upon request. 42
528
MENA Overview