Mark Zuckerberg has tickled Facebook users with his harsh comeback to a question about restrictions on Whatsapp use in the Emirates.
The Facebook founder replied sarcastically that “you've got your government to thank for that one” when one commenter mentioned that Whatsapp calls are not available in the UAE. The exchange appeared in the comment section of Zuckerberg’s announcement of the new video calling feature on the messaging app.
In the Emirates, services that allow people to make calls over the internet for free are highly restricted. Only licensed companies can provide VoIP, or internet voice calls. This is used to protect the revenues of local companies Etisalat and du, which are the only providers to have licenses.
In a country where 90% of residents are expatriates, the use of internet calling is often vital to maintaining relationships with family and friends back home.
Lots of people in the UAE were tickled at Zuckerberg’s reply, which has been liked over 9000 times:
Some were more serious in their replies, highlighting the difficulties caused for foreign workers in the UAE by the laws:
Most, however, took the whole subject as a joke:
It seems that Emirati residents will not be able to enjoy the new Whatsapp video call, unlike the rest of us!
RA
