DOHA: The controversial Blackberry SMS link to dial 999 which causes a stir from authorities in Bahrain has also spread in Qatar prompting the Ministry of Interior to warn the public particularly Blackberry owners to refrain from using the connection.
Authorities are now investigating who was behind the Blackberry Messenger including a link that would lead to dialing 999 since it causes a lot of disruption to the police operation.
Brig Abdullah Khalifa Almoftah, Director of Public Relations at the ministry, said the unauthorised link hinders the work of the authorities securing the public since this would directly lead to their operation centre.
He said they received thousands of calls in a matter of hours due to such message as he warns BlackBerry users not to open the instant communication link which would directly lead to their operation room.
Adel Mutawa, Director of Communications at Qtel, said they already sent messages to Blackberry users not to use the link. Some concerned residents have also aired their concern on the issue.
Faizal Issac said the link has recently spread among youngsters of which some used it deliberately just for fun. "They are making nuisance to the authorities," he said. Mubarak Alnabet said the adolescents have even enjoyed playing tricks with such link and is causing silly problems to the authorities.
Ahmed Hussin said there should be strict law which will punish all violators of such technology scam.
© The Peninsula 2011
