Ethiopia: we are not jailing Skype users
Western media 'mistaken'
The Ethiopian government has refuted reports that anyone caught using Skype in the country will go to jail. It insists the claims publicised by western media are completely groundless.
Earlier this month, it was widely reported that a new Ethiopian law prohibited the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, with offenders facing up to 15 years in the slammer.
Not true, says the country's Deputy Minister of Communication Affairs.
“The law does not prohibit these activities," said Ato Shemeles Kemal during a press conference. "Internet use between two computers, from PC to phone and phone to phone, as long as it is based on Ethio Telecom internet, is not prohibited. So you should not worry you will be held accountable.”
No cell, continue to yell
Apparently the law was put in place to "regulate cyber-related crimes and telecom-related frauds" as a number of paid-for services in the country - such as international calls from internet cafes - had bypassed traditional telecoms setups with free VoIP alternatives.
It is focused particularly on those who set up their own satellite and telecoms systems beyond the control of state-owned national firm Ethio Telecom.
According to the Ethiopian government, such activity accounts for 80 per cent of the $50m (£32m) it claims is lost by its telecommunications monopoly. ®
COMMENTS
No jail
But they will get 101 lashes with a whip because it is unEthiopian!
Ethio Telecom internet
Presumably because there is already Government informing snooping kit of some sort on Ethio Telecom?
Re: Ethio Telecom internet
That's just being paranoid - the Ethiopian government don't care about what you say to your mum at the weekend, they only care about making money off their suckers^H^H^H customers and jailing the competition^H^H^H criminals.
A few pixels can make a big difference.
Do they mean
So you should not worry you will be held accountable.
Or
So you should not worry, you will be held accountable.
No we will not
jail not jail them,
But the will get 100 lashes with the whip!
