Egypt lifts its unenforceable ban on GPS
Was it something I did? On April 5, the very day I moved from Egypt to Shanghai, the Egyptian government announced that its blanket ban on GPS devices was over. If I were more paranoid, I'd be taking it personally.
As Egypt's Daily News points out, the only two remaining countries banning GPS device use by citizens are now Syria and North Korea.
It will be interesting to see whether the early adopters of Egyptian iPhones, sold until now without GPS functionality turned on, will be able to get the GPS chip turned on via a firmware or software upgrade. Or else, it really sucks to be a law-abiding early adopter in Egypt.
Cairo-based friend and blogger The Arabist recounts an interesting rumor doing the rounds there as to why this change, now:
Ahmed Ezz, Gamal Mubarak’s right-hand man, imported a luxury vehicle equipped with GPS that customs did not want to release. So he asked his buddy Gamal [son of President Mubarak] to change the regulations.
The Arabist goes on to say he thinks the story is likely apocryphal, but it is telling nonetheless that this kind rumor has legs in Egypt, because many people consider it to be an entirely plausible explanation of how government policy is made.
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Comments
Syria, North Korea ... and Cuba too.
Posted by: Laurent Pierre at 14:25 UTC, April 20, 2009
Amazing that it was ever banned in the first-place! I find it hard to believe that there are any legitimate motivations for keeping such a useful technology out of the hands of your citizens.
What exactly are they afraid that the use of GPS will give their citizens, other than incredible convenience!
Hilarious story about Ahmed Ezz too! Certainly even funnier because it's actually plausible.
Posted by: George - GIS Student at 20:05 UTC, April 29, 2009
It's interesting to hear that Egypt was banning GPS.
for what reason was it even on in the first place. It seem Government could track people way easier. plus what about being able to get around. and what if your from out of town. or even a taxi driver?
anyway I'm glade Egypt has seen reason and lifted the ban. I think it's for the better good of every one. sorry it happen just after you left your shift.
Sam
Posted by: web design los angeles at 13:38 UTC, May 23, 2009
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