Saudi Arabian stores still selling banned camera phones

Despite Saudi Arabia's crackdown on stores selling camera phones -- that were banned in September 2002 -- retailers still are selling them, but not keeping them in the shop. According to the Arab News, that interviewed a man selling cellular phones in a stand at a Jeddah shopping center, if someone asks for a camera phone, a shopkeeper will ask a friend to get one from a car parked nearby.

One British expatriate in Saudia Arabia says he just wants a phone with Bluetooth, not a camera phone, but the only non-camera phones available are either used or from "substandard brands."

A Nokia camera phone (the model isn't identified) that's selling for almost $530 in Europe is available in Saudi Arabia for as much as $800, according to the article. It's a popular phone to steal because the black market value is about $266.

What about the laws?

Saudi Arabia isn't known for being soft on crime! But shopkeepers continue to carry camera phones because, apparently, they don't seem to face punishment -- at least, I haven't read about any punishment.

I have read that when camera phones are confiscated, they are sold in other countries and the shopkeepers are compensated from the proceeds. I wonder why the Saudis aren't punishing shopkeepers for selling prohibited camera phones?

Comments

[Abdulaziz]

Hi

I wanna clarify some points. The saudi culture appreciate privacy and consider it one of the most vital issues. These new mobile phones have invaded this privacy and caused a lot of dilemmas. So, prohibiting the use of these devices is a wise decision although it is still used by teenagers. My point is that, I am as a Saudi citizen support this decision and I don’t want to see my photo or my family members’ photos in the internet. I hope that you understand our culture and that we are as Saudi people don’t want these phones to be sold in our country.

Regards,

Aziz