Ethiopia: Skype me maybe

Jun 14

Web Only

Ethiopia: Skype me maybe

Ethiopia's communications crackdown targets Skype.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is seen at his offices in the capital, Addis Ababa, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Les Nauheus)

CORRECTION: Ethiopia's Telecom Fraud Offense bill has not been passed and is still in draft stage. According to the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the bill does not target individuals, but businesses using VoIP services to bypass the state-run telecommunications provider. The following article has been amended to reflect this.

A draft law in Ethiopia seeks to criminalise the use of VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) services such as Skype for commercial use. Violators could face up to 15 years of jail time.

However, some activists believe the draft's language could be broadly interpreted to prosecute government dissenters. We discussed these issues in a recent episode.

Here are some highlights from around the web:

View the story "Ethiopia: Skype me maybe" on StorifyEthiopia: Skype me maybeEthiopia's communications crackdown targets Skype. Storified by The Stream · Wed, Jun 13 2012 18:48:25Many have taken to Twitter to discuss the new law.
In Ethiopia using a service like Skype is "theoretically punishable by fifteen years in prison!" #CensoredEthiopia ©Abdirahman Tamaam #Ethiopia - #Skype, not allowed please use smoke signalscoldtusker“@africareview: Ethiopia passes law outlawing Skype http://bit.ly/KP9qdf” , 15yrs jail time for skype??? Guess i'll be emailing!MIKI PASSPORT@SomaliThinker as far as media is concerned#Ethiopia is a nation in the stone age period,held hostage by dictatorship and anti-free mediaAbdirizak AdanThe reasons behind the ban were a cause for debate online. Two reported/ Reportedly explanations were national security and concern that Skype was hurting the state-owned telecommunications carrier.
The #Ethiopia'n government banned the use of all Internet phone service (VOIP), citing reasons of "national security". My foot! ©Abdirahman Tamaam Remember #Ethiopia i/net cafe skype ban loosely enforced when I moved 6 years ago b/c ate into govt telcoms cashcow. Maybe this same idea?Barry MaloneInteresting point: #Ethiopia Skype ban is likely targeting internet cafes, where phone calls are free. Cuts into govt telecom business.Semhar@SMGebru @Semhar @davos Cant foster an environment of innovation w so much strangulation of the pipes. Guess they have a strategy out of itTMS Ruge@Semhar Yes, it does cut into telecom business, but there have been no measures to actually make calling outside actually affordable for pplKadia PetriccaCalls outside Ethiopia cost a fortune. Govt seems unable to see beyond short term gain to open sector to comp and develop l/term potentialBarry MaloneGovernment protecting of the telecommunications industry is not a new tactic. One Ethiopian sought asylum in the United Kingdom after the government accused him of using Skype to run an illegal competing phone service. A petition to stop his deportation from December 2011 was widely circulated online.gopetition.orgAJstreamFor many Ethiopians, the law is just the latest development in a trend of restrictive behaviour on the part of the government.
If you're surprised about Skype being illegal in Ethiopia, you'll be baffled to know that BlackBerry is also illegal. @Semhar @tmsrugeSamuel M. GebruIn this video, recorded at the Oslo Freedom Forum, exiled journalist Abebe Gellaw discusses the manner in which Prime Minister Meles Zenawi controls the country's media.Abebe Gellaw - Oslo Freedom Forum 2012oslofreedomforumSome have also noted a recent media workshop was held in Addis Ababa with the cooperation of the Chinese Communist Party. Users have been quick to point out that China has been known for restricting VOIP services.
Also slightly chilling to note "Internet management" a topic of media workshop between #Ethiopia and #China in Addis.. http://www.eprdf.org.et/web/guest/news/-/asset_publisher/c0F7/content/3-june-2012-26-2004Barry Malone

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