Some Internet cafe ´ operators in Lebanon admit that they use computer surveillance
software that enables them to monitor the desktops and browsing habits of their
clients under the pretext of protecting the security of their computer networks or to
stop their clients from accessing pornography. 43 However, there is no evidence that
the government orders these measures.
In March 2008, the Syrian authorities ordered Internet cafe ´ users to provide their
names, identification cards, and the times they use the Internet cafe ´ to cafe ´ owners,
who will consequently present them to the authorities. 44
In October 2007, police in Yemen ordered some Internet cafe ´s to close at midnight
and demanded that users show their identification cards to the cafe ´ operator. 45 Some
owners use surveillance software to monitor the online activities of their customers
and refuse access to clients who access pornography. 46
In August 2008, Egyptian authorities imposed new monitoring measures by demanding that Internet cafe ´ clients must provide their names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers before they can use the Internet. Once the data are provided, clients
will receive a text message on their cell phones and a PIN number that they can use
to access the Internet. 47
In addition to the preceding measures, some countries impose physical restrictions
on Internet cafe ´s as part of their monitoring efforts. For example, Yemen 48 and
Oman 49 require that computer screens in Internet cafe ´s must be visible to the floor
supervisor. No closed rooms or curtains that might obstruct the view of the monitors
are allowed.
Technical Filtering
The OpenNet Initiative conducted tests for technical Internet filtering in all the countries in the Middle East and North Africa between 2008 and 2009. Test results prove
that the governments and ISPs censor content deemed politically sensitive; critical of
governments, leaders, or ruling families; morally offensive; or in violation of public
ethics and order.
Testing also revealed that political filtering continues to be the common denominator across the region. Many states in the Middle East and North Africa prevent their citizens from accessing political content or have blocked such content
in the past. For example, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Syria,
Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, and Tunisia have censored Web sites containing content critical of governments and leaders, Web sites that claim human rights violations, and/or Web sites of opposition groups. Mauritania briefly blocked the news
Web site Taqadoumy, and Egypt at one point blocked the Web site of the Islamic
opposition group Muslim Brotherhood, as well as the Web site of the Labor Party’s
newspaper.
MENA Overview
529
software that enables them to monitor the desktops and browsing habits of their
clients under the pretext of protecting the security of their computer networks or to
stop their clients from accessing pornography. 43 However, there is no evidence that
the government orders these measures.
In March 2008, the Syrian authorities ordered Internet cafe ´ users to provide their
names, identification cards, and the times they use the Internet cafe ´ to cafe ´ owners,
who will consequently present them to the authorities. 44
In October 2007, police in Yemen ordered some Internet cafe ´s to close at midnight
and demanded that users show their identification cards to the cafe ´ operator. 45 Some
owners use surveillance software to monitor the online activities of their customers
and refuse access to clients who access pornography. 46
In August 2008, Egyptian authorities imposed new monitoring measures by demanding that Internet cafe ´ clients must provide their names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers before they can use the Internet. Once the data are provided, clients
will receive a text message on their cell phones and a PIN number that they can use
to access the Internet. 47
In addition to the preceding measures, some countries impose physical restrictions
on Internet cafe ´s as part of their monitoring efforts. For example, Yemen 48 and
Oman 49 require that computer screens in Internet cafe ´s must be visible to the floor
supervisor. No closed rooms or curtains that might obstruct the view of the monitors
are allowed.
Technical Filtering
The OpenNet Initiative conducted tests for technical Internet filtering in all the countries in the Middle East and North Africa between 2008 and 2009. Test results prove
that the governments and ISPs censor content deemed politically sensitive; critical of
governments, leaders, or ruling families; morally offensive; or in violation of public
ethics and order.
Testing also revealed that political filtering continues to be the common denominator across the region. Many states in the Middle East and North Africa prevent their citizens from accessing political content or have blocked such content
in the past. For example, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Syria,
Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Libya, and Tunisia have censored Web sites containing content critical of governments and leaders, Web sites that claim human rights violations, and/or Web sites of opposition groups. Mauritania briefly blocked the news
Web site Taqadoumy, and Egypt at one point blocked the Web site of the Islamic
opposition group Muslim Brotherhood, as well as the Web site of the Labor Party’s
newspaper.
MENA Overview
529