Anonymous Lists Sites. and VoIP Services, Blocked In the UAE

another random user writes "A group of Anonymous-affiliated hackers claims to have gained access to the servers in charge of filtering Internet traffic in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the hackers, they have identified a number of domain categories that are currently being blocked. These include websites that host adult content, VPN providers and any other site that could help users bypass censorship mechanisms, social media networks and dating sites, and ones that promote religious views other than Islam. The most 'shocking' discovery, as described by the hackers, is the fact that many websites that offer Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services are also on the list. 'A large part of UAE's population is made of migrant workers and the telecom industry made a lot of profit by overcharging them for international phone calls. But with the raise of VOIP and internet communication they were afraid that this would take away their profits and thus went ahead to block VOIP,' they explained."

Nearly a state-run monopoly...

[vwgtiturbo]

I deploy there quite a bit, and there used to be only one option for phone calls, Etisalat. Before I learned about VPN services, I had no choice but to get screwed by them (it was about a dollar per minute in a prepaid cell card). Another company finally came in from Dubai (Du) but I am not sure what the rates are, as I was already using a VPN and never needed to use the cell. In any case, the UAE is the perfect hypocritical example. While the locals are running around doing whatever they want, non-locals are fairly restricted (unless you have money and knew where to go).

Re:Colour me surprised

[girlintraining]

A barbarian with lots of money is STILL a barbarian.

No, a barbarian with a lot of money is called a CEO.