clear

Creating new perspectives since 2009

Kuwait denies ‘new surveillance’ of social media

January 30, 2017 at 9:32 am

The Kuwaiti National Assembly [Xiquinhosilva / Wikipedia]

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry has denied as “baseless” reports on social networking sites claiming that it has launched a “new surveillance system” covering phone calls and personal accounts on social media. Such reports, insisted the ministry, are based on inaccurate and unreliable information.

Nevertheless, the official statement stressed the government’s commitment to its security responsibilities. This will mean the taking of measures in line with the law and without having to restrict the personal freedoms of citizens and residents, it explained. With regards to cybercrime, the ministry said that it only acts when it receives complaints, which are investigated before referral to the relevant government agencies.

According to ministry spokesman Mohammad Al-Awwash, the electronic media law is aimed at regulating media professions and is not applicable to personal accounts on social media.