There have been several clampdowns on the use of camera phones in the Arab nations over the past few days. Saudi Arabia has proposed that anyone using a camera phone to distribute pornographic images would face 1,000 lashes, 12 years in jail or a US$26,000 fine. The country recently attempted to ban camera phones completely, but backed down after it became clear that illegal imports were circumventing the ban, as users wanted the other features that phones with cameras tend to include.
Meanwhile, Kuwait's National Assembly's Legislative Affairs Committee has approved a proposal for a 2 year prison sentence for anyone taking an unauthorized photograph of someone using a cameraphone.
There is also an additional 10 year sentence if the photos are then used for immoral purposes.
In a statement to reporters after the meeting, the committee's spokesman, MP Waleed Al-Tabtabai said that the prison penalty was adopted due to the "dangers the growing phenomenon poses to Kuwaiti society"."
Posted to the site on 18th April 2005
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