Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has been negotiating with Western providers as part of plans to monitor Internet communications.

Saudi sources said the Interior Ministry has overseen efforts to block Internet communications in cases of emergency.

The sources said the ministry insisted that any communications provider grant Saudi security authorities permission to suspend service.

“The kingdom does not object to the use of Internet communications as long as they are regulated and not used to spread terror,” a source said.

The sources said the Interior Ministry was involved in negotiations with such Western providers as Skype, Viper and Whatsapp. At one point, the kingdom blocked access to Skype amid concern that it was being used by Saudi dissidents, including the Shi’ite opposition.

The negotiations were conducted by the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission.

The sources said the commission warned Western providers of being banned unless Saudi authorities were allowed to monitor communications.

“Saudi companies will be required to block the programs if no agreement
is reached,” National Information Systems managing director Abdul Rahman
Mazi said.

The commission has requested that IP providers grant Saudi authorities
any requested data. Mazi said the kingdom was expected to acquire the tools
to block communications access in 2014.

Saudi Arabia has become a leader in Internet use. The Saudi-owned
satellite television network, Al Arabiya, reported more than three million
users of Twitter in the kingdom.

  Saudis negotiating terms to regulate Internet communications, Shi’ite dissidents, Skype, Twitter, Viper