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Censorship of Skype

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Skype logo

Several countries have interfered with or banned access to the telecommunications application software Skype.[1][2] The use of the website has also been restricted in other ways.[3]

Censorship by country

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Uzbekistan

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After issuance of the new amendment (Article 27.1) to the Personal Data Law on January 14, 2021, Uzbekistan government started demanding foreign agencies to store its citizens' data on Uzbekistan soil. Several companies ignored the request. Thus, Uzbekistan government formally issued a statement saying it blocked several of them including Skype, TikTok, Twitter.

Bangladesh

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After the complaint from Bangladesh Awami League about using Skype for election interview process by the opposition party of Bangladesh, The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has blocked the telecommunications application Skype.com.[4]

Morocco

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Morocco has boycott Skype as a part of the North African country's telecommunication operators that implemented the ban.[5]

Oman

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Skype was blocked in Oman for several years as well as others voice calling services.[6][better source needed] In March 2020, Skype was unblocked following the coronavirus pandemic.[7]

China

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Disruption to Skype began in October 2017. The Ministry of Public Security reported that a number of voice over internet protocol apps do not comply with local laws and has since removed Skype from the app store in China, though it is not widely used by domestic consumers.[8]

United Arab Emirates

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In the United Arab Emirates, unlicensed VoIP services are blocked. VoIP technology used by various apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Viber and Snapchat are inoperative. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) blocked Skype in January 2018, explaining that the service is not licensed. UAE-based telecom operators offer paid VoIP service through their applications BOTIM and C’Me. The block is attributed to the potential loss of revenues that operators such as Du and Etisalat would face as a result of reduced demand for their own telecom services.[9] The blocking of VoIP is a controversial topic in UAE, with many citizens asking for the block of the technology to be removed.[10] However, by using a VPN to access UAE Skype, you will be able to easily gain full access to UAE Skype.

Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia censors a wide range of media, including books, newspapers, magazines, films, television, and Internet content. The Saudi government closely monitors and restricts the media in accordance with official state law. Many Internet activities such as websites and VoIP (WhatsApp calling, Skype etc.) are strictly restricted in Saudi Arabia.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "BTRC blocks Skype". No. JS Polls 2018. The Daily Star. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  2. ^ "You Can Make Skype Calls in Morocco Again". Fortune. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  3. ^ Radcliffe, Damian (11 December 2017). "Skype banned, WhatsApp blocked: What's Middle East's problem with messenger apps?". ZD Net. No. Mobility. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  4. ^ "BTRC set bad example 'blocking' Skype: BNP". Prothom Alo. No. 19 November 2018. Matiur Rahman. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Morocco banned Skype, Viber, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. It didn't go down well". Middle East Eye. No. Inside Morocco. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  6. ^ "How to Unblock Skype in Oman". 9 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Oman lifts Skype ban amid Covid-19". MEED. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Skype Now Banned in China!". weixin. No. Job Tube Daily. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  9. ^ "Skype ban in the UAE: what the future may hold for VoIP services". The National. 1 May 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Fresh debate on lifting WhatsApp, Skype call ban in UAE". Khaleej Times. 13 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Internet Censorship In Saudi Arabia 2022 [Statistics]". 2022-06-24. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
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