Viber plans to bypass Mideast service ban

Viber on smartphoneCyprus-based Viber Media, which runs voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) communication application Viber, is exploring ways to bypass a ban on its services in three Middle Eastern countries.

According to CEO Talmon Marco, they plan to do this by modifying its software, Gulf Times reported. Access to Viber is restricted by authorities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Iran, as countries across the region try to protect the revenues of state-owned telcos.

The Communication and Information Technology Commission (CITC) banned the usage of Viber last week due to unspecified violations of Saudi Arabia’s rigorous regulatory requirements.

The watchdog threatened to take action against any other applications or services in the event of failure to comply with the unspecified regulations.

Credit: Telegeography