Saudi Arabia Blocks Facebook Over Moral Concerns
- Posted on November 13, 2010 at 10:11pm by
Scott Baker
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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — An official with Saudi Arabia‘s communications authority says it has blocked Facebook because the popular social networking website doesn’t conform with the kingdom’s conservative values.
The official says Saudi’s Communications and Information Technology Commission blocked the site Saturday and an error message shows up when Internet users try to access it.
He says Facebook’s content had “crossed a line” with the kingdom’s conservative morals, but that blocking the site is a temporary measure.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to the media.
Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam and religious leaders have strong influence over policy making and social mores.
Pakistan and Bangladesh both imposed temporary bans on Facebook this year.
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Comments (62)
HeffolumpsnWoozles
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 11:11amPerhaps they can develop one that is more acceptable and call it BurqaBooq
Report Post »NHABE64
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:40amNo, no, no its not about moral concerns. Its really all about control and ensuring freedom is only for the select few while the masses stay in the dark. I mean the last thing they don’t want is the people learning the truth about things. It might ruin years of brainwashing..
Report Post »Mr.Nick
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:04amNo, we cant have Islamic woman using facebook – they may be corrupted with the notion of liberty or Allah forbid – individualism.
We cant have that happen now can we?
I‘m a traditional person but I’m pretty liberal [classical sense of course] in comparison when it comes to these @sshats.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:51amYet another firm example of how Saudi’s, the Middle East and Islam is taking the world backwards to a theocratically ruled primitive society where woman are worthless, where freedoms are only those that the Mullah’s will meagerly allow, where brutality, rape, and slaughter is the norm…
Where is the UN on Human Rights Violations again? Oh yeah, the UN, what a joke! They are too busy trying to come up with their next Global Warming Ponzi Scam to bilk the world of Billions to save us all from something that is not man made, not controllable and not fixable…
Yet the true man made disaster – Islamic Sharia rule continues to fester, grow and destroy, but they turn a blind eye to it…
Seriously, forget about saving the bunnies, the trees and the woodpeckers… we (the world) need to get off or oil as quickly as possible so that no one ever has to have to deal with the Middle East ever again, and the primitive culture there can become completely irrelevant and the only time anyone may need to bring up the Middle East is if we have a sand shortage and need to buy some.
Sorry for the angry post, I normally don’t stoop down to liberal anger like this, but I’m sick and tired of hearing about Saudi Arabi, Iran and other “Modern Middle Eastern” countries clamping down on people’s rights.
Report Post »Voice-O-Reason
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:44amWho cares?
Report Post »ARCHON
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:17amCOINCIDENTLY-I’ve BANNED SAUDI ARABIA OVER MORAL CONCERNS!
Report Post »Disturbed Crew
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:09amAHHH Saudi Arabia, where the men are men and the sheep are nervous
Report Post »tatankachief
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 7:51amYeah right …. they’re just doing this so they can open their own website called …………
ya ready for it?????
here it is ……………..
BURKHA BOOK ;o) thankya, thankyavermuch!
Report Post »Bob PA
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 7:26amIf their religion and political agenda has to use coercion and censorship to keep their people in line what merit with Allah find in that?
Report Post »“No man deserves to be praised for his goodness unless he has the strength of character to be wicked. All other goodness is generally nothing but indolence or impotence of will.”
- La Rochefoucauld
Freedom and morality must be choices?
MitchnTexas
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 7:20amConservative Morals??? I guess the mooslums just hate the fact some people don’t appreciate how they treat women with conservatism or more the use of smaller rocks when stoning a woman to death so it prolongs the suffering compared to larger rocks which would cut short their enjoyment. I am glad the Saudi’s banned facebook, now I don’t have to tolerate the stupidity from an ideology of Satan posted by those mooslums whom morals include killing anyone who refuses to believe in this murderous ideology.
Report Post »Doc_Slammin
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 2:33pmDefinition is everything.
Many Saudis are considered ‘conservative’ simply because they do not condone and refuse to participate in ‘radical’ activity.
Don’t try to apply this label to American conservatives.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 5:49amSo what? Both the Saudi’s and Facebook are lame. I can do without either.
Report Post »Weave
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 4:17amI got your freedom of speech right here.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 4:14amInternet Control
Report Post »He said that blocking the site is a temporary measure. If it is a ‘moral’ issue, why temporary?
Not that long ago China did similar thing
Are these just TESTS so when the governments decide the time is right they can shut down the internet ? Will be easier that way than shutting down each provider.
When will we get out “test”
felina g
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 6:11amSee ya nude at the airport !
Nudge, big nudge, push, shove, herd, shoot.
“SO ! Vee thinks you want a kiddie toy in that Happy Meal” ?
Report Post »Promotefreedom
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:25amOur [forever protecting his citizens] president, is going to appoint a new Czar to head a new government Internet “privacy” wing that will enable the governmet to physically go onto our computers and devices over the Internet to insure all of our “privacy” rights are enforced. (There is a recent article about this on The Blaze.)
For their agenda to roll on, the Internet MUST be controlled by the US government. Enabling government to actually access all the files on your personal computer and cell phone, will enable the government to place “offenders” on THEIR LIST of subversives (hundreds of thousands are already on it.)
Just the threat of saying ANYTHING anti-government will stifle free speech, because Big Brother WILL be watching.
There is another prong to this government attack on the Internet. They are currently putting laws in place that “encourage” ISPs to provide their own PROPRIETARY Internet access. They are pushing the ISPs to advertise this Internet access as “faster and high end” and at the same time tell us we will still be able to use the “older” Internet access, so nobody loses anything.
The plan is, of course, to NUDGE all of us “Homers” onto these plans which will REQUIRE proprietary access codes, browsers and hardware; THEN simply no longer provide access to uncensored Internet. BTW: Google is in on this.
Welcome to the United Socialists of America Government Internet.
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:44am@promote
Report Post »You have alot going on there.
First I would argue that it was the patriot act that was an assault on freedom.
IF someone were to propose that anyone could access your data stored on your home computer, be sure it would be highly reported.
The last bit seems to be a plea for Net Neutrality. So you are FOR Net Neutrality? Which could be seen as the govnt telling ISPs what they can not build proprietary networks. I think you may not understand the principle of Net Neutrality.
Doc_Slammin
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 2:15pm@Deutscher
ANY type of nation-wide law that allows the federal government to a) violate the Constitutional rights of it’s citizens or b) violate the Constitutional rights of the a State is an assault on our freedoms.
I agree with your assessment that the Patriot Act was an assault on our freedoms.
In regards to Internet privacy, in order to actually verify that internet privacy exists, all data transferred must be stored in a database for reference. Businesses across the internet already do this, and unscrupulous ones will sell your information.
What makes you think that the government will not abuse this collected data and, within a matter of years, make it ‘evidence’ to be used against you in court? How will it feel incriminating yourself by allowing the federal government access to your email, bank accounts, purchases, downloads, web site, facebook account, etc..
If you think the Patriot Act was an infringement upon your rights, you ain‘t seen nuthin’ yet.
Report Post »New-American-Saviors
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 4:01amAnd this is what the Socialist/ Left wants to do in America. Dictate. They can’t even have a celebration (Nancy’s Party) Unless it’s behind closed doors. Guess we’d have to pass Sharia and Saudi Law first to see whats in the Bill.
I like to drive and need oil as much as the next person. But before I’d BOW to them for any reason,I’d walk wherever I went. As for Facebook- Obama may be the next to block it here. It contains so much information it tends to give the public mixed messages. And we can’t process all that information. lol !
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:36amEven if you decided to stop driving and walk ( which I would have to see to believe ) there would not be enough fuel to run the country. It would be dramatic. I say I will believe it when I see it is because we are not willing to drive fuel efficient cars much less park them.
Report Post »Please know that even without the oil problem, there are the problems of political stability in the region, and thier support of our military-industrial complex.
If you are that serious call your congressman and tell them to nix the ( I think 70 billion$) upcoming sell of F-16s to them.
It’s not a simple issue.
Doc_Slammin
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:47pmWhat happen to the converting oil shale to crude? We have enough to power America for another 100 years without even having to drill for it.
Report Post »SilentReader
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 3:48amThe Saudis block facebook because they don’t want their people to be exposed to the truth about Islam. These people have been living a lie for a very long time and they thrive on their lies.
We should cut off all relations with the Saudis and all the other Islamic governments. They are the scourge of the earth, and the corrupt UN is encouraging and abetting them.
The fact that Barack Obama bowed to a Saudi King is contemptible.
Report Post »Deutscher
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:22amI think you must be a very silentreader, or none at all, if you think we can just remove ourselves from our relationship with the Saudis or Islam for that matter. At least they are currently our allies and they have been bowed to or held-hands with by EVERY president since we helped them secure power. I wish it were so simple.
Report Post »Doc_Slammin
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:45pmI have to agree with Deutscher.
This is a battle that can only be won by setting good examples. Unfortunately for us, we quit good setting examples.
Report Post »TwoMinuteMan
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 3:39amConsidering the stuff Facebook has been doing with members personal info i can blame the Saudis. But they didnt site that as the reason. I guess the “Line they crossed” is that they dont have separate mens and womens areas. After all you CAN’T have islamic women talking/typing to anyone who isnt their family member or husband after all.
Report Post »theVirginian
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 3:28amThe Saudi government has a tenuous grip on it’s country so Facebook is probably a real threat to them… also, as bad as they are, we may not like who replaces them if they get deposed. Sometimes, better the devil you know,…
Report Post »Loda Crapp
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 2:50amWho cares!
Report Post »felina g
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 6:12amMillions, Buddy.
Report Post »FlowerBell
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 2:35amThe Saudi government has too much power over it’s people.
Report Post »Large governmental power over the American people is what the progressives and liberals cry for here in the United States.
How can so many people be so blind and ignorant at the same time?
Read your history books. It has happened over and over again.
Ah life.
Doc_Slammin
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:29pmThis is the price America pays for allowing educational subjects other than reading, writing, and mathematics to be taught in school as fact instead of the ‘theory’ that it truly is.
For example, within the past few years, I have noticed that man-made global warming is being taught as FACT in schools both private and public. Not once have I seen classroom material that suggests that global warming may be caused by the sun or changes in the Earth position due to earth quakes and the polar caps shifting. It’s not even glossed over as theory.
I have also noticed that in government classes, personal characterizations of our forefathers seem to proceed the intent and the genius of the documents they created. This leads teenagers in high school to a general distaste of our government and the people who created it. When they hear the cries of the liberals who scream for social justice, they become hooked, never taking the time to understand exactly what they are rebelling against. This is why conservatives are generally older. Life teaches them the hard lessons of action and reaction.
Report Post »joseph Fawcett
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 2:33amIn someways being a Christian I would like to ban somethings on this internet. However, in the world today anything is going and went. My generation created the sexual revolution and how that has ruined a lot of lives. What will this generation create with the power of the internet?
http://www.josephfawcettart.com western artist
Report Post »MitchnTexas
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 7:25amIf your a Christian and want to ban things on the internet then your not much of a Christian? I think the idea is to be like God but not be God? You know sort of the old role model thing and not some “censorship” authority or dictator.
Report Post »bobby535
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 9:59amI am not a christian, but i was raised a christian as a christian. No I don’t have any problems with Christianity, I just feel like I understand God in a different light.
One of the things that makes sense to me about Christianity is temptation. Temptation is there to test your faith in God. It is not up to regulation, or groups of people to keep you from temptation, it is up to you to get passed the temptation on your own. That is how YOUR faith is measured.
Report Post »Doc_Slammin
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:04pm@Jospeh : Consider, God does not ban man/woman from illicit sexual activity, rather, He states that such activity has consequences. Similarly, God does not ban man from participating in idolatry, thievery, murder, rape, incest, abortion, slavery, greed, nor any other sin you can think of, rather, He states that such activities have consequences.
You, as a Christian, have a life to lead and should strive to be a witness, by example, of how YOUR communion with God has helped you avoid the negative consequences of life’s temptations. These actions speak MUCH louder to people than words, burning books, or banning non-criminal activity.
God does not expect perfection from any of us, however, He does call us to perfection.
Just my 2 cents.
Report Post »evglassett
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 2:00amHey all, this isn’t in effect so far. I’m here in Dammam/Khobar on the Persian Gulf and I’ve had perfect access since this was announced. It may still come, but not here yet.
Report Post »walkwithme1966
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 2:06amYou need to watch it – they may arrest you and cut off your hands!! http://wp.me/pYLB7-l4
Report Post »evglassett
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 5:23pmHey Walkwithme1966- Not to worried about it. Media makes it worse than it is.
Report Post »HimmlersMasterPlan
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:59amMoral issues as in women are allowed to speak on facebook.
Report Post »MaeQueen
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:05amThat’s a joke, considering their treatment of women, multiple marriages and concubines, etc. — oh, yeah, I forgot —only men can make the rules there, right?
What hypocrites!
Report Post »Highland
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:01pmSaudi Arabia crossed a line when they contributed to the effort of terrorists to fly airplanes into our buildings.
Report Post »Conserving Ink
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:00amFacebook, the tool or revolutionaries and seditionists.
Report Post »____________________________________________________
http://conserving-ink.blogspot.com/
LibertyJusticeLeague
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:13amLike
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 12:49amYes the enlightened religion of reason and peace.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 1:40amSo much for tolerance and freedom of expression.
Report Post »spikebu
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 3:28amSaudi Arabia. Our ally. Riiiight. Arabians are the most gutless people on the face of the Earth.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 3:31am@Spikebu
Only our allies of convienence and opportunity. Honestly at times I wish we could just get out of the entire area and let it burn to the ground. These conflicts have cost us so many fine people and so much of our treasures. Lives that will never be fulfilled or replaced at all.
Report Post »rebel
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 4:14amoh man. taking farmville away from the students will result in blood in the streets!
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 4:15amWe gave the Middle East a taste of freedom. Time to leave and let freedom run it’s course. You can only oppress people for so long and the ticking time bomb of a freedom will explode…
Power through oppression will always fail now that they know what free society is. It takes time, but the human spirit was made free by God Himself and you will never take reign on it forever. The truth will set them free…
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 5:49amThey must protect those high moral values of Islam, I guess. (sarc.)
Report Post »Nature777
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 6:15amBecause Facebook is obviously more dangerous to morality than stoning rape victims to death!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 7:12amBenevolent
Report Post »Aesculf
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 7:52amlol
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 14, 2010 at 10:03amObama and Co. (crime family) would do the same and more in an instant if he thought he could get away with it from the American People … we MUST STAND STRONG!
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