The Saudi government began enforcing Wednesday a ban on the sale of camera-equipped mobile phones, reported Al-Watan.
The hand-held devices have become synonymous with immorality in the Kingdom, as locals complain that the phones are being used to photograph women on the street.
Local newspaper also reported that a number of female students have been expelled from schools and universities for using the phones to photograph their peers.
Mobile retail outlets across the Kingdom are being searched by representatives from the interior ministry and phones are confiscated if found. The authorities plan to re-export the collected devices and compensate shop owners with the profits.
The ban on camera hand phones was previously issued by the Ministry of Trade but the order was difficult to enforce since phones were being smuggled into the country by traders in Dubai and Bahrain. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
