The UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has issued a regulation policy on "Internet Access Management" (IAM) in the United Arab Emirates, after the completion of consultations with all licensed Internet service providers in the country and the National Media Council.
The regulation policy consists of certain frameworks and categories in regards to the internet, which must be taken into consideration by Internet service providers to ensure the security of the Internet and protect end users from harmful websites containing materials that are contrary to religious and ethical values of the community of the United Arab Emirates.
Such sites as: criminal sites that provide specific instructions or methods of encouraging individuals to commit unlawful acts or criminals, phishing sites which aim to deceive users in order to obtain personal data such as user name and password for credit cards, or include harmful codes and information on special piracy programs, and websites which promote for illegal drugs, pornography, gambling, as well as websites which include materials that reflect the hatred of divine religions and prophets in general, and sites that promote ideas of terrorism or supporting terrorism.
Recently, the TRA has instructed internet service providers in the country to unblock access to more than 1000 websites on the internet that does not conflict with the regulatory policy of Internet Access Management (IAM).
In this regard, all licensed Internet service providers in the country must apply these policies equally to all internet users, and review all the complaints on this subject and remarks raised by the users.
In this respect, H.E Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Board Member and Director General, said: "We have always considered the interests and benefits of consumers throughout the formulation of this policy, which laws are directed to protect Internet users, because we believe in the role of the Internet as a primary mean of acquiring knowledge".
Mr. Al Ghanim concluded: "Given the fact of the commercial, economic and media work environment of many governmental bodies and institutions in the country, the TRA has implemented some exceptions on blocking access to certain websites, which contents may be commensurate with the nature of their work, where they might be in dire need to know vital information via the Internet that is at the core of their work. We don’t want the blocking system to have a negative impact on their work and activity".
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