A senior official form UAE’s National Electronic Security Authority (NESA) said that the government may soon lift its ban on messaging app WhatsApp voice calls.
Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, executive director of the UAE’s NESA told CNBC that the government is now collaborating with the company and has better understanding now on the messaging app.
“There might be a lift of that ban for (WhatsApp) voice calls or broadcasting of many of the things that they do,” Al Kuwaiti told CNBC in an interview.
The official said that WhatsApp users can expect changes coming soon.
“And this is going to happen soon. This is what we know and understand from the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority here in the UAE,” he said.
The TRA, however, said that the availability of VoIP would rely in telco providers in UAE namely du and Etisalat.
The government has banned voice over internet protocol for WhatsApp and insisted in using locally made apps like Botim, C’Me and HiU Messenger.
Businessmen have pushed for allowing voice calls through Skype, Facebook and WhatsApp.
Al Habtoor group also asked UAE telecoms to allow voIP to further boost the country’s bid to become number one in the communications field.
There are also talks underway on the possible lifting of Skype and Facebook calls.
