Apple’s iPhone has been banned by the Syrian government after the device was used to get footage of a violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests out of the country.
A document apparently issued by the Syrian Ministry of Finance said: “The use of the iPhone must be prohibited due to the forbidden features that have been banned by the general telecommunications company.
“This is a legal ruling and iPhones will be seized.”
The order does not detail what the nature of the “forbidden features” that have offended the Syrian government.
The regime has imposed an effective media blackout on reporting of the eight-month uprising against its rule and the subsequent violence, which is believed to have left more than 4,000 people dead.
However, social networks such as Twitter and Facebook, have been used to organise rallies and protests, as well as disseminate information about the violent reaction to the pro-democracy movement.
Mobile phone footage of security forces opening fire on unarmed protesters and fighting with defectors has emerged online.
In November, opposition activists launched an iPhone and iPad app called Souria Wa Bas – which roughly translates as “Syria and That’s All” – providing reports from protesters inside the country.
The app features links for news, videos, a map of opposition hot spots, and jokes about Assad.
The developers said itp had been produced to counter the “deliberate attempts to distort the facts by some”.
The ban came as as the Syrian government was increasingly isolated by the West and its Arab neighbours.
Courtesy of Sky News
