Avoiding News Filtering With A VPN Account

A VPN can be useful in unblocking political and news websites that are restricted in some countries.

Many governments, especially those in Asia, take measures to filter news outlets and control the information which can be accessed via the Internet. This is done in an effort to prevent criticism of the ruling families or to otherwise quell disturbances. It is a sobering thought to consider that the news you are getting might be sterilized by government censorship.

Why do countries filter news?

The dissemination of political opinion is the primary reason certain countries choose to filter news content online. China, Saudi Arabia, and many nations in the Arab region do not tolerate news reports which reflect unfavorably on their political status.

Bloggers in particular are a favorite target of these countries. For example, China has blocked numerous news and political blogs and has even jailed journalists and bloggers for posting what they consider to be harmful content. The end result is that those in the country see what they government wants them to see. This can be dangerous, especially for expatriates who need to know what is happening in their own country.

The danger of news filtering

Imagine that you are a United States resident living and working in Egypt. The recent turmoil in this African nation prompted the US Government to issue a directive for all US citizens to leave Egypt and return home. This is the kind of news you need to know when visiting foreign soil, but as soon as the trouble began the Egyptian government began to selectively monitor and control which information gets through. If you have no way of getting unrestricted news then you might not receive these important warnings.

Another example is the Iraqi conflict during the 1990’s. You might recall that news outlets within Iraq were reporting that the Iraqi army was winning the battle, but the truth reported by news agencies outside of Iraq is that Saddam Hussein’s forces were losing badly. As you can see, access to accurate news can be a matter of personal safety.

Consider also that some nations block Skype, Viber, and other communications services which allow foreign visitors to remain in contact with their families. This means that your family cannot even pass along the warnings you may not have heard or read about.

Many regions of the world are in a constant state of political turmoil. When Chinese students protested the Chinese government in Tiananmen Square in 1989, a large portion of the country did not even know the uprising was occurring due to news filtering by the state. While as many as 1000 students were being killed in Tiananmen Square, much of China was unaware until the situation had been controlled by the government. Some foreign reporters managed to smuggle out footage of the protests, but this lack of knowledge could have quickly become a security risk for foreigners unsympathetic to the Communist regime.

If you are travelling or working in a foreign country such as China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, North Korea, or any other nation where political news is filtered, there is a real danger that you may not learn of dangerous political crises until it is too late.

Getting unfiltered news with a VPN

You might think you can just hop down to the local Internet Café and keep up with what is going on around you, but the fact is that public networks in many countries are subjected to heavy filtering and censorship. The only way to avoid this is through the use of a VPN account like the one we offer. A VPN account can restore your uncensored access to the Internet.

Internet censorship and news filtering is primarily accomplished via blocking based on IP address. In other words, when your IP address identifies that you are within a certain location the blocks applicable to that location go into effect. It is possible, through the use of a VPN, to change your IP address to reflect that you accessing the Internet from a server within your own country where the services are not blocked.

For example, if you use Skype and wish to communicate with your family this way, a VPN is very successful in unblocking this service in countries that restrict it such as Oman & Belize. Even when you cannot get accurate news online, your family at home can keep you informed if you maintain a way to contact them. To use the example we gave before, unrestricted access to Skype would have allowed your family to tell you that the US directed all of its citizens to leave Egypt immediately prior to the latest turmoil.

A VPN will also allow you to retain uncensored access to your favorite news blogs, and even your local television programming while you are travelling abroad.

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China Internet & how to Bypass Internet Restrictions in China with a VPN

China restrictions on web As the second largest nation in the world, the People’s Republic of China boasts a strong Internet presence. Other Asian nations such as Taiwan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal are similarly well-connected. The strict regulatory practice of the Chinese government dictates a heavy level of website filtering in China and other Asian nations. Violating Internet restrictions in China can carry a severe penalty, and many dissidents have been jailed for these offenses.

History of China/Asia

The People’s Republic of China occupies the greater part of East Asia and has the world’s largest population at 1.35 billion. The capital is Beijing and China’s Communist government rules over several smaller provinces including Taiwan.

China has been a world power for almost as long as the modern world has existed. The sheer land mass of the country as well as its powerful military make it a major player in the political affairs of the day. Much of China’s economy is driven by exports and it is the second-largest in the world today.

Officially founded in 1949, China has become the face of modern-day Communism. As such, the country is subjected to a significant amount of government control.

Internet in China/Asia

China has the largest base of Internet users in the world. They also have one of the oldest Internet infrastructures. The Internet made its appearance in China in 1987 with the transmission of an email that said, “Across the Great Wall, we can reach every corner of the world.” China was aware from the very beginning of the tremendous possibility of the Internet.

In 2012 China had over 500 million Internet users. They project over 700 million users by the end of 2013. Other Asian nations such as Sri Lanka and Nepal and the Philippines have not reached anywhere near the level of penetration achieved in China, but many Asian countries remain impoverished.

The majority of Internet users in China have broadband service. The cost of the service is very affordable for even lower income families. Over 3 million websites are hosted and developed in China, and this works to increase China’s online presence.

Internet Filtering in China/Asia

All online access routes in China are owned by the Chinese government. This means that businesses and individuals essentially rent bandwidth from the state. As you can imagine, this type of ownership allows the Chinese government to effectively control what is viewed online. There is a similar approach to Internet service in other Asian nations such as North Korea.

China’s Internet repression is considered to be the worst in the world. A recent report by Amnesty International reveals that China has jailed a record number of journalists for violating the state’s stance on what can be posted online.  China even maintains an Internet Police Force with more than 30,000 officers on active duty.

Other Asian nations, such as North Korea, have followed China’s example by exercising strict Internet restrictions. At the present time, these are a few of the types of websites which are blocked throughout Asia:

  • Political Blogs. Any website, blog, or news outlet which criticizes the Chinese government will likely be blocked. If the offensive posts originated from within the country, those who posted them are likely to be arrested.
  • Pornographic websites. They certainly don’t restrict them the way Arab countries do, but China has been known to block pornography.
  • Search terms. Some search terms are blocked in Google results and the results of other search engines like Bing and Yahoo. This speaks of how seriously the government monitors Internet activity.

It is also interesting to note that China blocked the social networking sites Facebook and Twitter in 2009 because of the state’s inability to properly control or monitor these services. You can read more about the great firewall of china here

Unblocking websites in China/Asia

If you want to experience true Internet freedom in China and the great majority of Asia, your most reliable option is to use a VPN account like the one offered on our site VPN-accounts.com. Without this type of service, you will encounter severe limitations and restrictions on the Asian continent.

A VPN is very effective in allowing Internet users to access Facebook, Twitter, and a host of other services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer which are not available in China and throughout Asia. A VPN gives you an added level of security in addition to making these websites available, and that added security could save you a lot of trouble in the long run given the restrictions in China.

For the latest news about China check the guardian news feed!

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Kuwait Internet & how to Bypass Internet Restrictions in Kuwait with a VPN

Kuwait Kuwait is one of the younger provinces in the Arab region, but it boasts one of the deepest Internet penetration levels. As of 2011, about 74% of the population in Kuwait is connected to the Internet. The presence of multiple ISP’s also makes Kuwait unique. The significant presence of foreign workers, many of them active-duty military, demands that Internet access in Kuwait is readily available and state-of-the-art. Even so, Kuwait engages in the same filtering and monitoring practices of its Arab neighbors.

History of Kuwait

Kuwait sits near the top of the Persian Gulf, bordering Saudi Arabia and Iraq. It is perhaps most notable for being the catalyst which began Operation Desert Storm in 1990 which was a response to an invasion by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Kuwait began its existence as a sheikdom of the British Empire and did not gain its independence until 1961. At that time, the country’s oil industry began to grow and Kuwait reaped the reward of large oil reserves. The invasion by Saddam Hussein destroyed more than 700 of the country’s oil wells, and the process of rebuilding is still ongoing. This necessitates the presence of many foreigners in Kuwait who are contracted to work on oil production.

Kuwait is technically a constitutional monarchy with a full parliament. It is typically regarded as the most liberal country in the Arab region.

Internet in Kuwait

Kuwait has five ISP’s which are licensed and regulated by the Kuwaiti government. These are Fasttelco, Gulfnet, KEMS, Mada, and Qualitynet. The presence of multiple ISP’s drives competition for Internet subscribers and ensures a healthy market.

Most of the ISP’s in Kuwait enforce stringent data limits on their Internet Service. A standard package will provide about 2GB of transfer each month. This limitation has been heavily criticized by residents of the country.

Internet Filtering in Kuwait

Kuwait is far more liberal when it comes to filtering websites than other countries in the region, but the practice does occur. However, the fact that most foreign journalists practice self-censoring when it comes to matters involving the Royal Family helps to keep moderation of political and news sites to a minimum.

The owners of Internet Café’s in Kuwait are required to maintain records including the names and addresses of all who access the Internet in their Café. In addition, bloggers are watched extensively and censored whenever their posted content is deemed inappropriate.

At the present time, these are a few of the types of websites which are blocked in Kuwait:

  • Gay, Lesbian, and pornographic websites. These kinds of sites are considered a violation of the moral values associated with Islam. These types of websites account for most of the blocking done in Kuwait.
  • Dating sites such as Match.com. A strong sense of family values is associated with Islam, and therefore many of these websites are deemed objectionable.
  • Political blogs. Bloggers are prohibited from a blanket condemnation of the government in Kuwait. Blogs are heavily monitored and watched for violations. If the blog in question happens to be hosted in Kuwait, legal actions can be taken against the blog owner.

Unblocking websites in Kuwait

While some may think using an Internet Café in Kuwait is a safe option for viewing restricted websites, this can be risky. As we mentioned, Café owners must maintain a record of visitors and supply that record to the government on demand. The only genuine way to unblock restricted websites in Kuwait is by using a VPN account like the one offered here.

A VPN is very effective in allowing Internet users to access communications apps and a host of other services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer which are not available in Kuwait. A VPN gives you an added level of security in addition to making these websites available, and that added security is something you will not find in an Internet Café.

you can read more about Kuwait here

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Bahrain Internet & how to Bypass Internet Restrictions in Bahrain with a VPN

Bahrain boasts one of the most long-standing ISP’s in the Arab Region, having begun making the Internet available in 1995. This should come as no surprise given the fact that Bahrain supports strategic military bases for many countries including the United States and the United Kingdom. About 55% of Bahrain’s population uses the Internet regularly, and a fair amount of these individuals are either military workers, expatriates, or other contractors working on projects in the private sector.

History of Bahrain

Bahrain is an archipelago which sits near the Western shores of the Persian Gulf. The largest island in the chain is Bahrain Island, which is only about 34 miles long and 11 miles wide. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are both connected to Bahrain via large causeways and Iran is in close proximity. The centrality of Bahrain makes it a preferred staging area for military operations in the Arab region.

Even though Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, it is one of the most politically liberalized countries in the region. The country functions politically in a manner which resembles government in the West. The King appoints a Prime Minister and his cabinet, and there is a parliament which is responsible for making and enforcing constitutional law. In 2004, Bahrain negotiated a free-trade agreement with the United States, thereby increasing its economic standing among the Arab nations.

Internet in Bahrain

Bahrain is a regional leader when it comes to providing telecommunications and Internet service. An abundance of fixed telephone lines and state-of-the-art technology gives the Internet in Bahrain a level of sophistication which is seldom seen in the area.

It is interesting to note that an increasing number of websites are hosted in Bahrain, almost 600 at last count, many of which are blogs. There are also multiple ISP’s to choose from. Bahrain does not monopolize the telecommunications industry the way Saudi Arabia or other Arab nations do. At last count, ten ISP’s were licensed to provide Internet service in Bahrain.

Internet Filtering in Bahrain

Despite the ease of Internet access offered in Bahrain and the presence of multiple ISP’s, the Internet is still heavily monitored by the state. Web content deemed offensive is regularly blocked by the Bahrain Ministry of Information and hence the reason many would like to be a Cyber Ghost using a vpn.

Prior to 2011, the year of an uprising in Bahrain, Internet filtering was moderately applied. Since that time a new method of commercial filtering has been used by the Kingdom and it is very effective at allowing the state to control the content residents of Bahrain can access.

More than 13 people have been arrested in Bahrain for content posted on online blogs. One of these individuals, Zakariya Rashid Hassan al-Ashiri, died in prison after being tortured for posting content that the state claimed advocated the overthrow of Bahrain’s regime.

At the present time, these are a few of the types of websites which are blocked in Qatar:

  • Gay, Lesbian, and pornographic websites. These kinds of sites are considered a violation of the moral values associated with Islam.
  • Dating sites such as Match.com A strong sense of family values is associated with Islam, and therefore many of these websites are deemed objectionable.
  • Political Blogs. Blogs and news websites that criticize the regime are not tolerated and are highly filtered.
  • NOTE! While Skype and Viber are still available in Bahrain at this time, there are growing indications that these apps will fall victim to a governmental block in the immediate future.

 

Unblocking websites in Bahrain

There was a time when Bahrain even went so far as to block services which allowed Internet users to surf anonymously. Thankfully, it is still possible to  unblock restricted web content in Bahrain through a VPN account like the one offered on our website.

A VPN software is very effective in allowing Internet users to access a host of services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer which are not available in Bahrain. A VPN gives you an added level of security in addition to making these websites available, something that is very important in Bahrain especially for those who also create their own web content.

To read more about Bahrain check out the following site:  bahrain.com

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KSA Internet & how to Bypass Internet Restrictions in Saudi Arabia with a VPN

Saudi Arabia, also known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or KSA, has a significant Internet presence, and it is one of the few Arab regions to allow more than one government-owned ISP to provide Internet service. Even though there are several companies licensed to offer Internet service in the KSA, only a few have exercised their right to provide service. Just because all of the ISP’s are not government-owned, this does not mean they are not government-controlled. The KSA boasts one of the strictest regimes in the Arab region.

History of the KSA

In 1902, Ibn Saud waged a military campaign that captured the city of Riyadh and led to the formal establishment of Saudi Arabia. The House of Saud had historical ties to Riyadh and Ibn Saud founded the KSA in 1932. It has grown into the largest Arab nation, encompassing over 2 million square kilometers. The nation occupies a strategic position and it is bordered by no less than eight other nations including Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.

Because of its proximity to the Persian Gulf and the expansiveness of its borders, the KSA is a country of military importance. This means that the population of Saudi Arabia at any given time includes many military troops and contracted expatriates. There are 9 million foreigners working in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the KSA controls the world’s largest oil reserve and sixth-largest natural gas reserves. This affluence and the presence of expatriates fuel a market for Internet service in the KSA.

Internet in the KSA

The largest ISP in the KSA is managed by the Saudi Telecom Company. The STC remains the major player in broadband Internet service, servicing over 160 million customers worldwide. Unlike many other telecommunications companies in the Arab region, the STC has branched out and established a presence in other nations such as Kuwait, India, and Bahrain.

Because there is such a deep penetration of the Internet in the KSA, the Saudi government chose to license additional ISP’s. At the present time, however, many of these fledgling companies have yet to get off the ground. When they do, these companies will be subject to the same restrictions and monitoring as the STC.

One can find public networks in the KSA, but a large majority of Saudi Internet users can afford service in their homes.

Internet filtering in the KSA

The STC and other ISP’s in the KSA are highly monitored and regulated by a government with little tolerance for those who break the rules. The KSA mainly accomplishes censoring of the Internet through the Saudi Telecom Company. Specific websites can be blocked, and email and chat transmissions can be monitored easily through the State’s servers. The most recent victim of the KSA’s strict regulation is Viber. These regulations should concern anyone accessing the Internet from Saudi Arabia, especially those who are guests working in the country.

At the present time, these are a few of the types of websites which are blocked in the KSA:

  • VoIP networks such as Viber. These communications networks are not easily monitored by the State and are also a threat to the nation’s telecom revenue. So far, Skype has survived, but many believe a ban is coming soon.
  • Gay, Lesbian, and pornographic websites. These kinds of sex sites are considered a violation of the moral values associated with Islam.
  • Dating sites. A strong sense of family values is associated with Islam, and therefore many of these websites are deemed objectionable. Sites like adultfriendfinder.com, match.com etc are blocked.

It is also common to find certain political sites blocked in the KSA. Saudi Arabia has been a hotbed of security concerns in regards to terrorism. This has led to an increased desire to monitor the browsing activities of Internet users in the KSA. The bottom line is that the government in Saudi Arabia can block any website it chooses, without notice, and offer no explanation for the actions they have taken.

Unblocking websites in the KSA

The only genuine way to unblock restricted websites in the KSA is by using a VPN account like the ones we offer. If you use the Internet in Saudi Arabia without a VPN, you can expect your browsing to be heavily censored.

A VPN is very effective in allowing Internet users to access Skype, Whatsapp, Viber, and a host of other services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer which are not available in the KSA. A VPN gives you an added level of security in addition to making these websites available.

On the following page you can read the latest news from Saudi Arabia: KSA NEWS

UAE Internet & how to Bypass Internet Restrictions with a VPN

The UAE, or United Arab Emirates, is one of the most affluent territories in the Arab region. As such, it is a region where the great majority of citizens have Internet access. Recent statistics have shown that 70% of the UAE’s population subscribe to one of the two Internet services offered in the UAE. Despite this deep penetration, the UAE is also one of the most restrictive nations in the region. Web activity is heavily monitored and many websites are blocked in UAE  by the agency which regulates online access. Many people visit Dubai and enjoy a range of  tourist attractions in UAE.

History of the UAE

The UAE is actually a group of seven principalities, or emirates, which are each ruled by a hereditary emir. One emir is then elected to preside over the entire federation as a whole. Islam is the official religion of the UAE, and, as such, dictates much of the policy which is made by the federation.

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Prior to 1962, the UAE was little more than a vast spot in the desert. The discovery of huge oil reserves, however, made the UAE one of the richest nations in the Arab region. The emirates boast the seventh-largest oil reserve in the world, and the cities of the UAE are highly developed. The per capita income of the UAE is also the seventh-largest in the world.

Internet in the UAE

For a very long time there was only one, state-owned ISP in the UAE. This monopoly was broken by the introduction of a second ISP in February of 2006. The telecommunications company du was authorized to provide Internet access, and a large majority of the UAE uses du & etisalat as an ISP. This might seem like an attempt by the UAE to become more moderate in its regulation of Internet access, but this is just an illusion. The new ISP still answers to the government and follows the common regulatory practices of the region.

One notable difference regarding Internet access in the UAE is that more homes have Internet due to the overall affluence of the country. The Internet Café, popular in so many of the Arab territories, does exist in the UAE, but more people choose to use the Internet in the privacy of their own home.

Internet Filtering in the UAE

Both of the ISP’s in the UAE use a sophisticated system to block websites which are considered pervasive or violate the moral standards of the country. In addition to outright blocking, the UAE also engages in selective censorship to restrict access to certain parts of discussion boards or news sites.

At the present time, these are a few of the types of websites which are blocked in the UAE:

  • Most Israeli domains. The long-standing conflict between the Arab region and Israel prompts the UAE to use blanket restriction on most websites originating in Israel.
  • Some parts of Wikipedia. This is a case where the UAE uses selective filtering.
  • VoIP networks similar to Skype. These communications networks are not easily monitored by the State and are also a threat to the nation’s telecom revenue.
  • Gay, Lesbian, and pornographic websites. These kinds of sites are considered a violation of the moral values associated with Islam. Adult sites include xvideos, Tube8, redTube, xHamster, YouJizz, youPorn, megaporn etc
  • Dating sites. All dating sites similar to Yahoo Personals and Match.com are in accessible in the UAE. A strong sense of family values is associated with Islam, and therefore many of these websites are deemed objectionable. Other sites include GuySpy, Homorazzi, Advocate, OhLaLa. LesbianMingles, Girlsmingle, BlackGirlMatch, LesPassion

 

Unblocking websites in UAE

Using a public network to access the Internet in the UAE can be risky if you attempt to access blocked websites. The only genuine way to unblock restricted websites in the UAE is by using a VPN account like the one offered here.

A VPN is very effective in allowing Internet users to access Skype, Whatsapp, Viber, and a host of other services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer which are not available in the UAE. A VPN gives you an added level of security in addition to making these websites available, and that added security is something you will not find on public networks in the UAE.

For more information about UAE you can check out this site: emirates.org

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Oman Internet & how to Bypass Internet Restrictions with a VPN

Oman has fewer Internet users than many of the Arab nations which surround it, but it is one of the smaller territories in the region. Internet restrictions are common.. On a per capita basis, Oman is well-connected to the digital world. While the Internet continues to grow in Oman, however, the state continues to exert considerable control over what individuals can access online. Oman follows the tradition of many Arab nations and strictly monitors Internet use while blocking access to any websites it feels violate the security and moral standards of the state.

History of Oman

Oman is located near the Arabian Peninsula in southwest Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. Technically a Sultanate, Oman is ruled by the Sultan of Oman. While the Sultan has absolute authority over the state, Oman also boasts a parliament which contributes to the process of lawmaking. This type of government has made Oman one of the more stable countries in the Arab region.

Oil is the primary force which drives the Oman economy, but compared to other Arab countries Oman produces less crude. Farming and fishing also provide much of the income earned by the residents of Oman. There has also been an effort by the government to reduce the number of expatriates in the country by training locals to fill previously outsourced jobs.

Internet in Oman

Residents of the Western world have become accustomed to an abundance of Internet providers and telecommunications services. Arriving in Oman, or any Arab region, can be quite a shock when one discovers that most of these countries have a government-controlled monopoly on Internet and mobile phone service.

In Oman the Internet is provided by Omantel, which is 70% owned by the Oman government. It is the only ISP approved for offering Internet service in Oman. As in Qatar and other nearby regions, the majority of people in Oman access the Internet by purchasing prepaid access cards. Recently, more homes are being equipped with postpaid Internet service, but many areas of Oman still use dial-up access. Broadband is available in the more populated areas at a prohibitive cost.

Internet Filtering in Oman

When you control the only game in town where the Internet is concerned, blocking or limiting access to specific websites can be accomplished with a minimum of difficulty. Oman actively blocks web content that it finds to be objectionable. Unfortunately, this can make it difficult for expatriates in the country to use many of the webs services they are accustomed to, and it can also make it harder for locals to stay in touch with relatives who have immigrated to the US, UK, and other countries in the West.

At the present time, Omantel blocks websites including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Skype and similar VoIP services. If you plan on using Skype in Oman, think again. Omantel takes a hard stance against Skype and other communications applications because they cannot be easily monitored and also cut into Oman’s telecommunications revenue.
  • Gay, Lesbian, and pornographic websites. Sites with this type of content are routinely blocked by Omantel because they violate the moral mandates of the Islamic religion.
  • Dating sites. Many dating sites such as PlentyofFish,  Match, zoosk,  eHarmony & others are considered objectionable because they promote casual relationships, something that is frowned upon in Arab countries.

It is also common to find certain news outlets or political websites routinely blocked by Omantel. If a site contains news or opinion which is believed to oppose the government, it will likely be blocked.

Unblocking Websites in Oman

There is a way that is very effective in unblocking websites in Oman. Using a VPN account like the one offered here can restore your unrestricted access to the Internet in Oman.

A VPN is very effective in allowing Internet users to access Skype, Whatsapp, Viber, and a host of other services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer which are not available in Oman. A VPN account gives you an added level of security in addition to making these websites available, and that added security is something you will not find when using Oman’s government-owned ISP.

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Skype & Viber Could Get Blocked in Bahrain Soon

Bahrain is the latest Arab nation to consider blocking Skype and other communications services like Viber and Whatsapp. Several other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Oman, have already blocked some of these applications, citing security concerns and a loss of telecom revenue as their primary reasons for taking action. The blocking of Skype in Bahrain could sometime during the latter half of 2013.

Countries in the region are disturbed by the fact that they cannot monitor Skype and other services. In an area which has been a hotbed of Islamic radicals, the need to shore up security has become a priority. In addition, the presence of millions of foreign workers in the region means that national telecom companies are losing money whenever expatriates use Skype or Viber to make calls or send messages to loved ones in their home country.

Many people use VoIP in Bahrain

Skype, Viber, and other similar apps function via something known as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). These applications use the delivery system of the Internet to make calls and send text messages in much the same way that they are sent on a smartphone. It has been estimated that millions of people in the region use the services, and one study commissioned by the Bahrain government revealed that 100,000 people had used VoIP during a period of four days to make calls, send photos, and otherwise interact with people outside of the region.

If Skype is blocked in Bahrain many people will be affected. One solution that people are using in preparation for a state-imposed block is a VPN account. Using a VPN lets users access Skype and other blocked services by encrypting the connection. When the connection is encrypted the filters used by Internet Service providers to block sites will not be able to block the request to open a page etc since it will not be able to identify what a user is accessing or trying to access.

Blocking encrypted communication in Bahrain

Another concern is that Bahrain will eventually seek to block Skype and Viber because of the secure aspects of these services. VoIP services typically use a fairly high level of encryption to protect users from having their data stolen. This encryption can make it difficult for government officials to observe communications.

Saudi Arabia initially sought to force VoIP services to drop the encryption of data in order to spy on the communications of users. Such a concession is unlikely to be granted by Skype on account of the furor that would be generated among its customer base. The only solution left for countries like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia is to ban the services outright.

Moral values and traditions in Bahrain

The government of Bahrain has stated that the use of Skype threatens the “moral values and traditions” of the Islamic region. Obviously, some users engage in communications which would be accepted in the West but frowned upon in Bahrain. Exchanging this kind of communication in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia can be construed as a violation of law. While there are no specific regulations which govern what constitutes a moral breach online, a lack of specifics has never deterred these countries from taking harsh legal action when behavior is deemed immoral.

Bahrain and other Islamic provinces like Saudi Arabia do not regard the law and Islam to be different concepts. They are considered to be joined at the hip, and Islamic Law is what tends to govern the court system.

How to use Skype in Bahrain

If a ban of Skype, Viber, and Whatsapp does move forward in Bahrain, there is still a way that nationals and expatriates can access the site. The method for doing this involves what is known as a VPN, or Virtual Private Network.

Almost all Internet-ready devices offered today come with a built-in VPN client. Windows, MAC, the iOS, and Android platforms all include a VPN client. In order to make it work, a user needs to establish a VPN account and then configure the VPN client with the network credentials. This is a relatively simple process which can be done in a matter of minutes.

Once the VPN is set up, a user in Bahrain can appear to be accessing the Internet from the US or another area where Skype is not blocked. Skype will register the IP address presented by the VPN and conclude that the user is in that geographical location. At the same time, since traffic is encrypted over the VPN, filters used by Bahrain would not know you are bypassing the restrictions.

In addition to being able to access Skype in Bahrain, VPN’s use a very complex level of encryption. This encryption protects sensitive data from prying eyes. In this way, users do not have to worry about whether or not they are violating the moral standards of Bahrain by sending photos, messages, or other communications that the region finds offensive.

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Viber Banned in Saudi Arabia! Are Whatsapp & Skype Next?

The banning of Viber by Saudi Arabia is just the latest in an ongoing attempt by countries in the region to limit or block the usage of communication applications. The UAE only recently lifted a ban on Skype, and that service is still blocked in Oman. The Saudi regulator of telecom services contends that Viber is difficult for the state to monitor, and that Saudi telecom operators are losing revenue from international calls and text messages. The ban of Viber took effect in early June.

Those who live and work in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding countries in the region are finding ways around this dilemma, primarily through the use of VPN accounts. A VPN allows users to surf the web without disclosing their geographical location. Viber, Skype, and similar services are typically blocked. Using a VPN would encrypt the connection and provide you access to  the services blocked.

Why would Saudi Arabia ban Viber?

Those who subscribe to Viber can make calls and chat over the Internet in much the same way as they can over Skype. In addition, certain files can be shared by Viber users. The popularity of services like Viber, Whatsapp, and Skype has increased because the cost of using the service is much cheaper than international smartphone service.

Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia is a country that still exerts a considerable amount of control over Internet freedom. The state has difficulty exerting that control where Viber is concerned. Concerted efforts are made by the Saudi government to regulate how individuals use the Internet. Some of these efforts are probably in response to security concerns voiced by other nations. The Saudi region has been at the center of much controversy in recent years, and by monitoring the Internet in a strict way Saudi Arabia would seem to be making a good faith gesture on the topic of security concerns.

Some argue that Islamist militants are using social networks and services like Viber to encourage unrest and network amongst themselves. Whatever the reason, it does not appear likely that Saudi Arabia will relinquish control of Internet services and applications in the near future.

Expatriates in Saudi Arabia affected by Viber Ban

One problem with banning Viber and other communication services in Saudi Arabia is that at any given time there are many expatriates working in the country. These individuals hail from the USA, UK, and a host of other nations. In many cases, the most economical way for foreigners working in the region to maintain contact with their home country is through a service like Viber.

Viber allows expatriates to talk to family members at home, send messages, and otherwise communicate without incurring international costs on their smartphones. Many of these individuals are using a VPN account to access services like Viber which are not banned in their own countries. There are over 9 million expatriates in Saudi Arabia, and many of these foreign workers rely on Viber and Skype for essential communication services.

Are Skype and Whatsapp next?

Despite the fact that the UAE has lifted a ban on Skype, it seems very possible that individuals in Saudi Arabia could find themselves unable to access Skype and Whatsapp in the near future. There is no reason to believe that the Saudi government would not take a similar action against these communication applications because they essentially provide the same services as Viber.

Blocking Skype and Whatsapp in Saudi Arabia would be a deathblow for communications services in the region. Skype is currently blocked by Oman, and other countries in the region such as Bahrain are also considering blocking Skype and Viber.

The protection of a VPN

When the Saudi telecom regulator announced the ban of Viber, the agency also hinted that using the applications could be a violation of local laws. This vague reference to illegal activity is a little scary when one considers how easily laws can be created and enforced in Saudi Arabia.

If one were to attempt to access the services, even if a website indicated the service was blocked, there is a possibility that this would be a violation of local Saudi law. The only way to endure anonymity when using Viber in Saudi Arabia is through the use of a VPN account.

A VPN account is easy to obtain and affordable. Windows, MAC, Android, and the iOS all come with a built-in VPN client which allows a user to setup their VPN account on a variety of devices. All that is required are the credentials supplied by the VPN provider and users can begin to access the web securely without revealing their geographical location. Many VPN accounts even allow the user to choose an IP from different areas.

It is much better to be safe than sorry when using Viber in Saudi Arabia. A VPN gives Internet users the freedom to continue using the service even though it is currently inaccessible from a Saudi IP address. If you would like to read about the whatsapp privacy policy click here.

More topics: How to use Whatsapp in UAE and Saudi Arabia? 

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Beijing seeking to hire internet censors

Source June 17 2009 FT

The city of Beijing is planning to hire thousands of internet censors in a fresh sign of the authorities’ attempts to tighten their grip on cyberspace.

The city will seek to employ at least 10,000 “internet volunteers” before the end of this year to monitor “harmful” websites and content, said an official at the municipal authority’s information office.

Chinese local governments and Communist party branches often pay web commentators to influence online opinion. But it is unusual for officials to admit the practice and the big recruitment drive gives a rare view of the resources China uses to try to control the internet.

The move comes amid an outcry over the national government’s attempt to ensure that every new personal computer sold in China is equipped with web filtering software. The ministry of industry and information technology notified computer makers last month that they would be required from July 1 to include Green Dam/Youth Escort – a programme developed under commission by the government – with every new PC.

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