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| Hidden in Plain Sight |
In the 21st century, a smartphone
is the main form of communication between people. Across the globe, smartphones
provide opportunities to connect through free video and voice calling via
social media platforms including Skype, Messenger, FaceTime, WhatsApp and so
many more. But what if this wasn’t an option…
United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Morocco
and China are among some of the nations to ban communication through Voice over
IP (VoIP) services. UAE has blocked international VoIP services due to national
security reasons regarding licensing concerns. Furthermore, the VoIP block is additionally
attributed to reduced demand and potential loss of revenues for the sole two telecommunication
operators, Du and Etisalat.
Being over 7000 miles away from my home in
Dubai, I always have to resort to speaking with my family for 99 cents a minute
via AT&T! However, ToTok, not to be confused with TikTok, was launched in
2019 to provide a new “fast, free, and secure” messaging and calling platform. Complying
with UAE’s regulation of VoIP service requirements, ToTok was downloaded by
millions across UAE, becoming one of the top 25 free apps in the region.
ToTok surging popularity exemplify its numerous
benefits, but as Phillip Brey mentions, “It’s easy to turn an artifact intended
for good into something unethical.” A recent New York Times Article published in
December 2019, brought to light the “wonder” app’s true colors.
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| ToTok Corporate Structure |
Technical analysis and computer
security experts highlighted that the firm that created ToTok, Breej Holding,
is a front company for DarkMatter, an Abu Dhabi-based government cyber intelligence
firm. United Arab Emirates government uses ToTok to track every conversation, location, and image of those who install it.
Modern escalation in the
digital arms race show governments pursing more effective and convenient
methods to spy on not just on foreign adversaries or criminals, but also on
their own civilians. ToTok appears to be the latest case of a digital platform
surreptitiously operated for purposes of intelligence gathering, making us
question, can we ever trust something that’s “too good to be true?”
This references Flordi’s words, “Considering
the ethical implications of disclosing information is a major challenge for information
providers.” The truth is everyday billions of people free forgo matters of privacy
for convenience of using apps on their phones. Governments across the world
operate massive surveillance apparatus in the shadows, and we, “the consumer”, voluntarily
hand into the scheme.
By Ananya Sharma
Hi Ananya,
ReplyDeleteI was unaware of how strict laws about VoIP communication are in other parts of the world. I like the quote you included from the reading because deciding what type of information to disclose is tough challenge. There is a fine line that we balance on when deciding if we want more privacy or more convenience. I enjoyed reading your post, although the flowchart image you provided is a bit confusing.
Hi Ananya, interesting post! I didn't know that countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia banned communication through VoIP services, so it was great to learn about something new! Something that I think you could improve upon is shortening your introduction. It's not until the 5th paragraph that the crux of your argument is revealed, so maybe talking about why ToTok became so popular in one paragraph allows you to elaborate on the truth behind the service. While I liked your use of Floridi's quote, I think that further elaborating upon this argument would help strengthen your overall argument. Again, I would also explain who Floridi is and who Brey is since these blog posts are accessible to the overall public. Lastly, I think that using hyperlinks, especially when you talk about the NY Times article that reveals the truth, would help strengthen your post by providing deeper insight into the topic. Overall, good work!
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