While free voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephony is commonly used across the globe, it is inaccessible through normal internet services in the UAE -- except for on the Abu Dhabi-developed mobile application ToTok. "It will be interesting how this public fiasco will affect the UAE development as a tech powerhouse in the future," he said. People will "probably have hard time trusting any sort of technology platform that comes out of the UAE". - 'Targeting critics' -In a region regularly hit by political turmoil, the UAE puts a high value on "stability" and stamping out extremism. "They are practising a high level of online restrictions and surveillance," said Amy Slipowitz from civil society group Freedom House, which marks the UAE as "not free" on its annual global internet rankings.

Source: Bangkok Post January 26, 2020 03:00 UTC