BlackBerrys go blank in the UAE. Photo credit: LymStylez

The United Arab Emirates is banning BlackBerry services, turning the smartphone back into just a phone.

The United Arab Emirates’ telecom authority announced this week that, starting 11 October, BlackBerry users in the country would no longer be able to access BlackBerry messaging, email, and the internet – effectively turning the smartphone back into a regular cell phone and igniting significant international controversy. The UAE’s decision comes after a long-running dispute with Research in Motion, the Canadian company that makes the hugely popular BlackBerry, over the company’s data encryption practices: Basically, the UAE wants to be able to eavesdrop on its citizens, but BlackBerry data is transmitted through an encrypted, out-of-country site, making it difficult for the UAE to do so.  Saudi Arabia is banning BlackBerry messenger, for the same reasons.

Privacy rights advocates are crying foul and the US State Department criticized the move: PJ Crowley, department spokesman, said at a press briefing on Monday that the State Department is “disappointed” by the announcement, adding, “It’s about what we think is an important element of democracy, human rights, and freedom of information and the flow of information in the 21st century. It was the essence of the Secretary’s internet freedom speech and it’s an argument that we make to countries like Iran and China. It’s also an argument that we make to friends and allies of ours like the UAE.”

But as a reporter asked at the press briefing, how exactly does this restriction infringe on human rights? Crowley didn’t have a clear answer, but others do: In one of its leading editorials today, the Financial Times noted that the UAE, though somewhat liberal, isn’t exactly known for its “embrace of political pluralism”. The big concern is that rather than limiting its monitoring of communication to curbing terrorist activities and detecting national security threats, the UAE will use the data access it wants from RIM to instead keep tabs on its citizens.

Still, other observers claim that the UAE is likely motivated by real concerns over security. The UAE has a very small security force, especially in comparison to its need, and relies on monitoring communications to maintain order. Jim Krane, author of City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism, told the Christian Science Monitor that Emirates leaders are likely making a push to be able to subpoena BlackBerry messages if the user is somehow implicated in a crime, a privilege already enjoyed by the US and Canada. In the realm of international politics, a couple observers are pointing out that the US isn’t practicing what it preaches: While it condemns the UAE’s decision, federal authorities are looking for ways to increase their monitoring of the Web, Cecilia Kang reported on The Washington Post’s Post Tech blog. And the UAE and Saudi Arabia are not the only nations to express concern over the BlackBerry’s encryption practices and the possible use of BlackBerrys in international terror. Following the Gulf states’ announcements, Egypt and Kuwait made their concerns known, while India, Bahrain and France have in the past expressed worries that the network could allow terror networks to thrive.

Al Jazeera‘s Inside Story took an in-depth look at the issue and asking, is this just an attempt to curb human rights or does the UAE have a point?

The Guardian pulled together a number of angry reactions from people living and working in the Gulf state, all of who wanted to remain anonymous and were pretty unhappy about the decision. One, a sales executive in Dubai, told the paper, “I think the ban is very unfair. It is so selfish of the authorities to ban an essential part of people’s life.” Another pointed out that banning BlackBerry services probably isn’t a good move for the UAE itself: “I think it will be another kick for a country with an already waning economy, I think a lot of expat businesses are already a bit sick of the UAE’s red tape. I’m not saying people are going to take their bat and ball home over losing the BlackBerry, but it all starts to add up.”

The Financial Times agreed, noting that the reputation of the Emirates is at stake in this as well. “It is well served by a relatively liberal image. And if BlackBerrys do indeed go blank in October, as announced, the greatest casualty will be the perception of the UAE as a good place to do business.”

And then there a few observers who are questioning whether the UAE would really go ahead with the ban: Krane told the Christian Science Monitor that the announcement is probably just an “negotiating stance” for the UAE, an attempt to get RIM to agree to its monitoring demands.