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Saudia Arabia will lift a 2013 ban on Internet calling services:
Saudi Arabia will lift a ban on internet phone calls, a government spokesman said, part of efforts to attract more business to the country. All online voice and video call services such as Microsoft's Skype and Facebook's WhatsApp that satisfy regulatory requirements will become accessible at midnight (2100 GMT), Adel Abu Hameed, spokesman for the telecoms regulator CITC said on Twitter on Wednesday.
The policy reversal represents part of the Saudi government's broad reforms to diversify the economy partly in response to low oil prices, which have hit the country's finances. "Digital transformation is one of the key kick-starters for the Saudi economy, as it will incentivise the growth of internet-based businesses, especially in the media and entertainment industries," a statement from the information ministry said. "Access to VoIP (voice over internet protocol) will reduce operational costs and spur digital entrepreneurship – that's why it is such an important step in the Kingdom's internet regulation," it said.
Perhaps they found the backdoors.
Also at TechCrunch.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by DannyB on Thursday September 21 2017, @03:51PM
That is similar to my first thought about this.
Obviously, they have obtained some way to monitor these calls. With or without the NSA.
Saying it is to help business people is the window dressing to look welcoming.
They may have also realized that there is inherent value in letting people communicate things that the government doesn't like. That allows you to monitor these communications and identify and track the individuals involved for later punishment. Hey, US government! Maybe it is useful to not restrict internet communications if your goal is to become a fascist regime.
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.