Saudi Arabia set to make call on Skype, Viber and WhatsApp blocks

March 27, 2013

Wapp

Jeddah, Mar 27: An agreement is expected to be reached between the Saudi telecommunication sector and operators of WhatsApp, Viber and Skype, Al Arabiya reported Tuesday, after the Saudi government threatened to block the messaging applications earlier in the week.

A source told Al Arabiya that the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) officially requested the Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC) to find a technical solution that will enable the government to monitor WhatsApp, Viber and Skype this week.

Abdulrahman Mazi, the managing director of the National Information Systems Company, said that local telecommunications companies and IP providers in Saudi Arabia will be obliged to block the applications if no agreement is reached.

The government will study the possibility of blocking the mentioned applications if it fails to reach a decision with the operators, the source added.

However, the process of blocking the applications will take three to four months, he said.

Mazil told Al Arabiya that the licenses of IP providers in Saudi Arabia oblige them to disclose any type of data when the government requests so, especially for security reasons.

He added that the Kingdom request to monitor these applications is not new; several countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom have taken the same step.

If the agreement is reached, Mazi said the income of Saudi telecommunication companies will increase. The step might add a monthly charge of SR10 ($2.5) for the users of these services.

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Kuwait allows international travel from Aug 1; residents from these countries excluded

Agencies

July 30,2020

Kuwait will allow citizens and residents to travel to and from the country, starting August 1, the government communication center tweeted on early Thursday, citing a cabinet decision.

The decision excludes residents coming from Bangladesh, Philippines, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran, Nepal.

Last month, Kuwait announced it would partially resume commercial flights from August, but does not expect to reach full capacity until a year later, as its aviation sector gradually recovers from a suspension sparked by the Covid-19 crisis.

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All you need to know about Saudi Arabia's Tawakkalna App

coastaldigest.com web desk

May 21,2020

The Tawakkalna application developed by Saudi Arabia's National Information Centre to processes requests for movement permits during the curfew to curb the spread of the virus has become a major helplnine for past few weeks.

The application developed through the close cooperation between the Ministry of Health and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) was launched on May 4.

According to Saudi Telecom Group, it handles 20,000 calls daily through the Tawakkalna platform by dedicating a call centre of 600 employees through its Contact Centre Company (CCC).

The Tawakkalna app can be used to issue e-permits for a selected group of government and private sector employees who were exempted from the curfew, and individuals who have medical appointments as well as couriers.

Tawakkalna has features for the service of citizens and residents, for ensuring their safety and comfort that would contribute to facilitating the access of authorized persons to travel permits.

The official page about Tawakkalna on Twitter, says: “You must always keep in mind that pinpointing your exact location of residence is the only way for you to benefit from the app’s range of services and permits.”

The app will also provide the latest alerts and medical news issued by the Ministry of Health about the virus as well as about its spread, ways to prevent it and movement permits.

Tawakkalna can be used for self-disclosure for people who show signs of coronavirus infection and for requesting ambulance service and other important services for the community.

Through the app users can apply for a one-hour permit for a walk in the neighborhood on a daily basis, thereby encouraging walking during this period of lockdown.

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sir,

i am facing problem for receiving OTP code during registration for my family. i am unable to get OTP code.

please assist.

Entering date of birth is the big problem is the big problem of this app.

Dob entering problem

Hi,

I am trying to register in the Tawakkalna app, but it keeps on throwing error. Any idea?

thanx

B I

R8NEB24

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COVID-19: Saudi reports 1,223 new cases, 3 deaths

News Network

April 26,2020

Dubai, Apr 26: Saudi Arabia reported 1223 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 17522, the Ministry of Health announced on Sunday (April 26).

Meanwhile, the ministry reported 142 recoveries today, with total recoveries in the kingdom at 2357. There are 115 cases in intensive care.

The ministry also confirmed 3 deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the kingdom to 139.

Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz has ordered the partial lifting of a curfew imposed due to the new coronavirus across the country while keeping a 24-hour lockdown in the holy city of Mecca, the Saudi news agency SPA reported Sunday. The partial lifting of the restriction started Sunday from 9am until 5pm and will continue until May 14, the agency added.

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