Somali Militants “Order” Telecoms to Shut Down Mobile Internet Over Concerns About US Targeting

Terrorists in Somalia are
trying to shut down mobile access to the Internet over fears
the US will use the technology to target them.

From the AP:

Somalia’s al-Qaida-linked militant group has ordered
telecom companies to shut down mobile internet services over fears
the U.S. can use the data to target militants.

Al-Shabab this week set a 15-day deadline for the telecoms, whom
the group accused of being ‘‘enemy collaborators.’’ The two
affected mobile operators that offer 3G data service declined to
comment.

The telecom industry was a Somali
success story, even, or especially, before the re-formation of
a government last year.

Follow these stories and more at Reason 24/7 and don’t forget you
can e-mail stories to us at 24_7@reason.com and tweet us
at @reason247.