Authorities in Saudi Arabia have announced that BlackBerry messaging services would be blocked throughout the kingdom as of Friday. The move follows a similar decision by the Indian government.
Research in Motion, the Canadian company that produces the BlackBerry messaging device, is reportedly in talks with Saudi authorities in hopes of having the decision reversed.
The United Arab Emirates has also announced its intention to block BlackBerry services throughout its territory, beginning in October.
American civil liberties watchdog Freedom House has accused both Saudi Arabia and the UAE of restricting freedom of expression by blocking the popular messaging service.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
