Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

iPhones banned from Saudi security establishments | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat- The Saudi Interior Ministry has banned the use of iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab in the kingdom’s security establishments because these devices are unsecure and can easily be hacked.

The government ban went into effect on Saturday.

An informed security source asserted to Asharq Al-Awsat that instructions were received not to use iPhones or the Galaxy Tab inside security establishments and centers as a security precaution. Regarding the use of the two devices, Information technology experts and specialists have highlighted the potential danger to the privacy of individuals and security establishments.

Saudi Arabia is not the first country to ban the use of these devices inside its security establishments. The United States and several European countries have similar bans.

Technology experts welcomed the interior ministry’s step and underlined its importance for the security of the information in these sensitive establishments. Talhah Jarad, an information technology expert, told Asharq Al-Awsat that every organization or apparatus must take steps to decide what is allowed or not allowed to be brought inside organs concerned with the security of information. This depends primarily on what these establishments decide and the extent of dangers from allowing the use of this equipment inside them.