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Camera phones get the chop in Saudi Arabia
Men not allowed to watch the birdies...

By Graeme Wearden

Published: Tuesday 01 October 2002

Camera phones have been banned in Saudi Arabia, because men have been using the device to secretly photograph women, according to reports.

The clampdown, which is thought to have seen Nokia's 7650 handset withdrawn from sale, follows complaints from religious figures in the country who claim that men have been using camera phones to snap women, which is in contravention of Saudi law.

Saudi Arabia is a segregated society where men and women do not mix together outside of the home, and where women must cover themselves in long robes and a veil when outside so only their hands, eyes and feet are visible.

A religious police chief called for a ban on camera phones back in June this year, amid claims that men had smuggled the devices into segregated areas - such as wedding halls reserved for women only - and had taken pictures.

Saudi Arabia's religious leaders have been concerned in the past about technological advances that they believe break Islamic law.

Earlier this summer it emerged that the Saudi government had banned access to over 2,000 websites. Although many were sexually explicit or religious in nature, other vetoed sites were related to women, health, drugs and pop culture.

Nokia did not return calls for comment.