Skype Calls in Ethiopia Risk 15-Year Jail Sentence

A Skype call in Ethiopia could cost users a 15-year prison sentence, according to a new legislation that criminalises the use of Voice over IP services just as Skype, Google Talk and other forms of online calling.

The state-owned internet service provider

The state-owned internet service provider, the Ethiopian Telecommunication Corporation, has started monitoring online traffic to enforce compliance with the law, which came into effect on 24 May.

Ethiopia has a long track record of digital restrictions. It has closed down internet cafés offering VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services and in December 2006, made it mandatory for such cafes to register the names and addresses of their clients.