Steve Jobs’ father is furious after the Syrian government banned use of Apple’s iPhone, following
violent protests in the country.
Abdulfattah John Jandali, a Syrian native and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ estranged father, took to YouTube to express his solidarity with those involved in the anti-government protests in Beiruit looking to change regime under President Bashar Assad.
Apple’s iPhone appears to be the only smartphone device banned under the government decree, issued by the Customs Department of the Syrian Finance Ministry.
Up to 4,000 protesters have already been killed as part of the government crackdown, which kicked off early this year.
“The authorities warn anyone against using the iPhone in Syria,” the government order states.
Anyone who possesses an iPhone may be treated as a spy, according to the Next Web.
Foreign media have already been banned from staying in the country and the government now fears the Apple device may be used by protesters to communicate with the outside world about the violent atrocities occuring there.
“I am in solidarity with the Syrian people,” said Abdulfattah John Jandali on a YouTube video dated December 01.
“I reject the brutality and killing that the Syrian authorities are committing against the unarmed Syrian people.”
“And because silence is participation in this crime, I declare my participation in the Syrian sit-in on YouTube,” he added.
This isn’t the first time technology has been used in the battle against oppressive regimes.
Facebook and Twitter were used by Egyptian protesters earlier this year as was BlackBerry’s instant Messenger in the UK, seen as a core tool used by rioters there.
