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Prison for misuse of Bluetooth proposed in Bahrain

[NOTE: Kuwait adopted a similar law in April 2005; the second half of this Reuters report gives details. Last August, Bahrain became one of the few countries in the world - perhaps the only one - that requires Bluetooth owners to apply for an individual license. Online forms - which can also be used to apply for the mandatory WiFi license - are available here.]

From "Strict action against Bluetooth users urged," by Habib Toumi, Gulf News, 19 January 2007:

"A Bahraini lawmaker has called for stringent legal action against people who use the Bluetooth technology to take illicit pictures and distribute them.

" 'We need to be tough against all those who harm others and tear the social fabric by using their mobile telephones to take pictures of people without their permission or knowledge,' Member of Parliament Khalifa Al Dhahrani said in the proposal reviewed yesterday by the Council of Representatives legislative committee.

"A six-month prison term and a 1,000 Bahraini dinar (Dh9,732) should be imposed on people found guilty of breaking the law, he said.

"The proposal also calls for two years in prison and a 2,000 dinar (Dh19,464) fine for people charged with using mobile phones to spread 'damaging or immoral' images and videos.

"Al Dhahrani, the speaker of the former and current Council of Representatives, attributed his call for stringent action to the 'alarming rise in the number of instances when mobiles and the Bluetooth technology were used for illicit activities and the spread of evil.'

" 'When people fail to follow Islam's precepts about respecting the privacy of people and contributing actively to limiting vice and promoting morals, then we have a serious issue that needs to be addressed effectively and uncompromisingly,' he said.

"The veteran parliamentarian warned that the anonymity of the picture or video senders complicated the situation and increased risks of undermining social harmony and stability.

" 'If no serious action is taken now, we will soon have people use more advanced technology to steal vital or secret information from private mobiles and this would be disastrous for individuals and the nation,' Al Dhahrani warned.

"Thousands of Bluetooth users in Gulf countries are using the technology to disseminate pictures or videos of events, celebrities, or, quite often, footage of Arab girls dancing. Wary of the implications of private moments being viewed widely, several conservative families have barred guests at their celebrations from using mobiles to take pictures of the event, amid concerns that these would be used to capture girls in party gowns or in a celebratory mood."

[Bluetooth - 19 January 2007]