Skype Illegal In Ethiopia

[Rydian]

We're all aware of how countries like China try to stamp out communication, but this time Ethiopia's in the spotlight. A new law passed means VOIP services like Skype have been declared illegal, and the new law provides punishments from 8 to 15 years max depending on the technologies used.

Source

I wonder how long until some country tries to ban printing presses.

 

[AlanJohn]

lol what

 

[ComeTurismO]

WHAT? Even though I don't belong there, i find that kind of stupid, every 5min I come on GBAtemp, look to the right, and see this? WHAAT?

 

[Luigi2012SM64DS]

China hates people

 

[Flame]

im sorry but this is why Ethiopia will always be a third world nation.

 

[Satangel]

That's hilarious, I really don't get why they would do this?

 

[AlanJohn]

That's hilarious, I really don't get why they would do this?

As said in the source:

The legislation, which was voted into law last month with little notice from international media, seems to close a loophole that was allowing some of its citizens to communicate without being monitored by authorities.

Basically the government can't monitor internet activity, lol.

 

[Nujui]

That's hilarious, I really don't get why they would do this?

If you read into more of the article, "Ethiopian authorities claim the drastic measures called for under the new law are necessary to protect against security threats"

And what the above said.

 

[Satangel]

That's hilarious, I really don't get why they would do this?

As said in the source:

The legislation, which was voted into law last month with little notice from international media, seems to close a loophole that was allowing some of its citizens to communicate without being monitored by authorities.

Basically the government can't monitor internet activity, lol.

That's hilarious, I really don't get why they would do this?

If you read into more of the article, "Ethiopian authorities claim the drastic measures called for under the new law are necessary to protect against security threats"

And what the above said.

Ty both, it's hilarious but I thought it would be something like that.

 

[Rydian]

According to other comments, the government runs the only telecommunications company, so people were using Skype and such to bypass the high fees for long-distance calls.

So yeah, power/control/money.

 

[Arras]

If you read the source it's even worse. Not just VoIP is illegal, but they can ban pretty much any means of communication whenever they feel like it:

The new legislation empowers the state-owned telecom to prohibit the use not only of VoIP services, but also of video chatting, social media, e-mail, and any other data transfer service capable of communicating information.

I wonder how long until some country tries to ban printing presses.

http://en.rsf.org/et...2012,42735.html If it won't happen, it wouldn't be for a lack of trying.

 

[DSGamer64]

No wonder they are such a poor nation, but hey that's what happens when you are ruled by tyrants and militants. I am surprised they even have Internet access in that country.

 

[Deleted User]

That's hilarious, I really don't get why they would do this?

If you read into more of the article, "Ethiopian authorities claim the drastic measures called for under the new law are necessary to protect against security threats"

And what the above said.

Apparently, Skype = terrorism.

 

[Deleted-188346]

im sorry but this is why Ethiopia will always be a third world nation.

Although this is ridiculous, this certainly isn't why Ethiopia will always be a third world nation.

 

[AceWarhead]

im sorry but this is why Ethiopia will always be a third world nation.

Although this is ridiculous, this certainly isn't why Ethiopia will always be a third world nation.

Enlighten me.

 

[chyyran]

How, exactly is it "..necessary to protect against security threats"

Besides, who would want to bomb Ethiopia?

 

[AlanJohn]

How, exactly is it "..necessary to protect against security threats"

Besides, who would want to bomb Ethiopia?

Because anyone could be an american spy.

 

[shakirmoledina]

why the ban? maybe something wrong is happening. we cant judge by looking at one side only.

maybe illegal activities happening through it was far more worse than the good that came out of it. or probably Ethiopia are having internal problems dealing with it. cant say until we know both sides.

 

[Rydian]

It's not just skype, skype's the example used to show the level of control being exerted.

 

[Gahars]

im sorry but this is why Ethiopia will always be a third world nation.

Although this is ridiculous, this certainly isn't why Ethiopia will always be a third world nation.

Enlighten me.

Natural resources, production capability, agriculture, etc. etc. are kind of huge factors.

While policies like this certainly aren't helping, it's not as if having a free and open internet would single-handedly fix the nation's many, many, woes.