Posted on 06. Aug, 2010 by Kat Schneider Fotheringham in Blog, Business Travel, Uncategorized, corporate housing, executive accommodations, international business travel
As a crackberry addict myself, I can see where the smartphones can be a little bit obtrusive.
But I never thought I would hear about a country banning them in this day and age. The United Arab Emirates says effective this October 11 that the only thing you’ll be able to use your smartphone for in Dubai is well, to call people? Huh?
Authorities there say the move is based on security concerns because Blackberry all data are automatically shipped to company computers abroad, where it is difficult for local authorities to monitor for illegal activity or abuse. Critics of the plan say it is just a move by a very conservative government to exert control over the information-sharing process.
Either way, it’s unfortunate. Dubai was well on its way to becoming a major destination for big business and travel in the middle east. And while we don’t all work with clients or companies that hav a presence there, chances are in the future many of us will come into contact with organizations who do. Every type of business, from healthcare to energy production is being conducted in Dubai and the middle east, too.
So if this is a trend, it is one I don’t happen to like. I guess we in the United States are so incredibly fortunate to have our freedoms protected, especially the freedom to do business and grow, that we don’t expect to hear of a crackdown like the one that’s proposed.
So business travelers and corporate housing pros, too, if you love your Blackberry and use it for business, and that business takes you into the middle east and Dubai, get ready to make some adjustments in how you communicate.
We hope this idea is ultimately turned away before it becomes a trend and spreads to other parts of the globe. Yikes!
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