New Blocked Site Graphic in UAE

[mikeyquema]

Are the rumors true that DU does not filter/block sites?

[Technikhelfer]

Originally Posted by Magnus

We're not talking any particular site, we're talking the blocking mechanism that UAE government has put into place for various sites. How someone could get around that is not something we discuss on the site.

Well, I don't know whats written on the pics in arabic and nobody is talking clearly, so I just guessed. Don't blame me. Can you tell me more about this blocking mechanism? What kind of sites are blocked from UAE?

[ultrablue662]

Originally Posted by hanzo

The feedback form is now hosted on the etisalat.ae domain, and doesn't require authentication to submit a site for review.

Coincidentally, someone, somewhere must actually read those things. I submitted a site several months ago and it suddenly started working.

That or it's just dumb luck.

Neither actually. The Telecommunication authority actively reviews sites that are blocked and could be unblocked. and sites that are not that might need to be.

There was a huge fuss a few weeks ago about 1000 sites being unblocked. It was in the papers.

What people werent told was about that same amount of unblocked sites were blocked.

[ultrablue662]

Originally Posted by mikeyquema

Are the rumors true that DU does not filter/block sites?

The only people who have access to unfiltered internet are newspaper offices, ministries, and government or semi government offices.

This is not a company specific sensor. Etisalat doesnt do it, neither does Du. It is enacted by the TRA, based here in Abu Dhabi. It is a government office who reasons for being are to to lead all telecommunications companies working within the UAE as the government sees fit.

So no, Du has the same government rules to play by as Etisalat or anyone else who is allowed to set up shop here.

Technikhelfer, The below is straight from the TRA's handbook, as it were:


Prohibited Content Categories


1. Internet Content for Bypassing Blocked Content
This category includes Internet Content that allows or assist Users to
access Blocked Content.

2. Internet Content for Learning Criminal Skills
This category includes Internet Content that either provides instructions for
or identifies methods to promote, encourage or provide the skills to
commit illegal or criminal or unethical activities. These include bomb-
making, phreaking (breaching phone security or phone service theft),
scams and fraud, terrorism, evading law enforcement, stalking, lock
picking, selling pirate material such as commercial software, music, videos
or others.

3. Dating Internet Content
This category includes Internet Content that provides online dating or
matchmaking which contradicts with the ethics and morals of the UAE.

Exemptions: Chatting services, chatting groups, social networking and
forums.

4. Internet Content for Illegal Drugs
This category includes Internet Content that provides information on
purchasing, manufacturing, promoting and using illegal drugs.

5. Internet Content containing Pornography and Nudity
This category includes Internet Content that contains material of a
pornographic nature, or relates or depicts acts of homosexuality, nudity
and sexual material (including stories, jokes, animations, and video) or
Internet Content that promotes sexual activity. It includes Internet
Content which promote the distribution of above material (such as Peer-to-
Peer websites and links).

6. Gambling Internet Content
This category includes Internet Content that is relevant to gambling or
such as gambling links, tips, sports picks, lottery results, as well as horse,
car or boat racing.

7. Internet Content for Hacking and Malicious Codes
This category includes Internet Content that distribute information and
tools for hacking (root kits, kiddy scripts, etc.) that help individuals gain
unauthorized access to computer systems. Also include Internet Content
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that distributes tools or information for producing and distributing malicious
codes such as viruses, worms or Trojan horses.

Exemptions: Information security including ethical hacking.

8. Internet Content that are offensive to Religions
This category includes Internet Content that contains material which
expresses hate to religions.

9. Phishing Internet Content
This category includes Internet Content where entities or persons falsely
represent themselves as a “legitimate” businesses or enterprises for the
purpose of deceiving and obtaining form Users, valuable information such
as bank account or email account information including details such as
usernames, passwords, credit card details or bank account details.

10. Internet Content that downloads Spyware
This category includes Internet Content that downloads Spyware which
gathers private information of the users without his or her knowledge.

11. Internet Content providing Unlicensed Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) service
This category includes Internet Content that allows access to services
which are prohibited in accordance with the TRA’s Voice over Internet
Protocol Policy.

12. Terrorism Internet Content
This category includes Internet Content of terrorism groups and related
Internet Content that support terrorism and publish and distribute materials
for terrorism or include material for training and encouraging terrorism or
help to serve terrorism groups such as funding, facilitating communication
and other direct and indirect services.

13. Prohibited Top Level Domain (TLD)
This category includes Internet Content under a Top Level Domain names
which offends against, is objectionable to, or is contrary to the public
interest, public morality, public order, public and national security, Islam
morality or is otherwise prohibited by any applicable UAE law, regulation,
procedure, order or requirement.

[Technikhelfer]

Originally Posted by ultrablue662

The only people who have access to unfiltered internet are newspaper offices, ministries, and government or semi government offices.

Technikhelfer, The below is straight from the TRA's handbook, as it were:

Thanks a lot for opening my eyes, so to speak. I really appreciate that. We don't have in germany any regulations like you have (that I know of!). I must say on one hand i agree with the most of the rules from the TRA but not all of them. I think, everybody should be able to choose by himself what sites to watch and what not. Just my opinion. The CCC put has put this in a good way about rules, here is a quote:

* Access to computers - and anything which might teach you something about the way the world really works - should be unlimited and total. Always yield to the Hands-On Imperative!
* All information should be free.
* Mistrust authority - promote decentralization.
* Hackers should be judged by their acting, not bogus criteria such as degrees, age, race, or position.
* You can create art and beauty on a computer.
* Computers can change your life for the better.
* Don't litter other people's data.
* Make public data available, protect private data.

[Magnus]

Originally Posted by Technikhelfer

Thanks a lot for opening my eyes, so to speak. I really appreciate that. We don't have in germany any regulations like you have (that I know of!). I must say on one hand i agree with the most of the rules from the TRA but not all of them. I think, everybody should be able to choose by himself what sites to watch and what not. Just my opinion. The CCC put has put this in a good way about rules, here is a quote:

* Access to computers - and anything which might teach you something about the way the world really works - should be unlimited and total. Always yield to the Hands-On Imperative!
* All information should be free.
* Mistrust authority - promote decentralization.
* Hackers should be judged by their acting, not bogus criteria such as degrees, age, race, or position.
* You can create art and beauty on a computer.
* Computers can change your life for the better.
* Don't litter other people's data.
* Make public data available, protect private data.

What is CCC?

[Technikhelfer]

The CCC is the Chaos Computer Club, but just read for yourself here:

CCC | Chaos Computer Club e.V.

It's the oldest computer/hacker group on the world. In the early 90s they got into the nasa computers and just left a note that the system is not secure. After that a lot of them were put in prison for several years just for that, without any lawsuit.

They are very nice people (I was 2 times at some partys of them!) and nearly everybody of them are using apple computers.