It helps generate ideas
YouTube was the reason that I was able to start my home-based business and the website still helps me to share and receive plenty of ideas ("TRA speaks out on ban of YouTube content", Gulf News, March 12).
Additionally, YouTube helped me learn how to read and write Arabic script. With regard to children, I am a parent of two. What they view on the channels is all under our control. In all aspects of life, there would be something beyond our control, but our task is to see the whole picture.
From Mr Yani
Dubai
Website comment
Positive step
While screening offensive content is a positive step toward keeping media channels clean, I still believe that the more important job is to actually fight and track down those who post such offensive materials online.
They should be prevented from having a window to spread their poison. Are we doing anything internationally about that?
From Mr Wissam Halawani
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Site for Sharing
I do not think YouTube should be banned. We use YouTube as a means of sharing our great moments here in the UAE with our loved ones back home.
From Mr Juan Miguel
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Tool for corruption
The internet has become a tool for people to post unwanted and misleading facts. It is not possible for parents to allow children to use the internet without supervision. YouTube was a site which allows us access to a lot of information.
However, it has also been corrupted. It is a shame that the internet is being used for all the wrong reasons. I think websites with content that is offensive to religions must be banned.
Websites where defamatory information is hidden under video clips named 'cartoon' should be blocked, too. The internet has thousands of websites which provide information.
Blocking certain sites would not make much of a difference to regular users. With most children currently using the internet without supervision, I think it would be wise to ban certain sites.
From Ms Naina Nair
Sharjah
Website comment
Blocking studies
I support the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority's (TRA) decision of blocking YouTube content, especially if it hurts people of various religions and cultures.
However I request the TRA not to impose a complete block on the website, because many people - including myself - use it for on-line education and watch educational lectures through YouTube videos. If a total block is imposed on the website, it will be very difficult for me to continue my distance studies.
From Mr Shabir Zain Al Deen
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Let it be
I urge the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) to please not totally block YouTube. Sometimes, we really need the website to watch important and relevant video clips.
From Mr Erfan
Dubai
Website comment
Useful site
I believe the ban shouldn't be imposed against YouTube, since for me majority of the site's content is very useful such as tutorials and DIY videos.
From Mr Renato
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Waste of time
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) took very good steps, when they partially banned YouTube. I support the banning of such websites as we do not need to look for such kind of content. I am an information security professional and often see a lot of time wasted due to such content.
From Mr Adnan Ansari
Dubai
Website comment
Good Decision
I think that YouTube should be banned. The website cannot be viewed with family members as it often leads to bad content, such as offensive movies and videos. I welcome any such decision from the authorities to ban the site.
From Mr Abdul Bashir C. V.
Dubai
Website comment
No Need
I do not think YouTube needs to be banned. The view that such websites apparently hurt religious and nationalistic sentiments are just spread by people who do not understand what culture is and do not know the meaning of religion.
My personal opinion is that distinguished people should refrain from passing sneaky comments without verifying the facts.
From Ms Kannan V. Pillai
Al Ain
Website comment
It is not justified to block the website completely, simply because certain people are abusing the facility. However, any offensive videos could be reported to YouTube directly.
In order to maintain customer satisfaction, I am sure they would consider removing any offensive videos. Blocking the site is not at all the right solution. Several people depend on this site for research, study and general information.
From Mr Alex
Sharjah
Website comment
Partial block works
YouTube should not acquire an unbridled viewing policy. Many websites are offensive to other individuals. They should be careful about the way they use it.
From Mr Yousuf Khan
Dubai
Website comment
Good source
For me YouTube is a great source of information source, be it expert lecture videos, children's educational songs, learning a new language or having a great recipe.
Maybe many objectionable videos have been posted in the same site, but as far as you are accessing only the good ones, that is not your concern.
Objectionable content can be banned, but if people have limited access to public libraries and other information sources, banning the whole site is not good.
From Ms Lekha
Sharjah
Website comment
Moderation needed
I'm an expatriate in Dubai, but my opinion on this issue is that I don't think YouTube deserves to be banned. But I am still concerned about children and what they see on it.
I think the best thing is that YouTube will give restrictions in viewing videos when it comes to children sites, especially those with links to videos.
The case here is that when searching for videos, YouTube would not give you one video - it will offer you more videos and these are the related videos, which sometimes tare no longer safe.
YouTube should limit the posting of videos on their site. To sum it up, it's unfair for the site to be blocked. They need to review and put limits in viewing and posting of videos, especially when it concerns children.
From Mr Ameer
Dubai
Website comment
Your Complaints
Helpless Line
Ever since etisalat activated fibre optic connectivity in our home, we have been regularly having failures and downtime. Now, it is all in one - no ADSL, eVision or landline. No matter how many calls we make to their 101 "helpless" line, no solution was provided.
The service level on 101 is another story! My question is - why does etisalat force on its customers the technology that it is not able to support or deliver on? We were very happy with the previous set up and service.
Our internet was working, the phone lines were ringing and the family enjoyed watching eVision. I wonder how many of us are suffering with etisalat's fibre optic syndrome.
From Mr A. S. Seddiq
Dubai
The management of etisalat replies: etisalat regrets the inconvenience caused to the customer. The issue has been resolved to subscriber's satisfaction.
I would like to thank Gulf News for taking up my complaint and ensuring the required service is provided by etisalat and also ensuring that the issue is taken up with the etisalat management.
Overcharges
I requested HSBC for my three months bank statement and was charged Dh150. Printing a bank statement costs Dh150? Is there any rule to prevent banks from charging excessively?
I was frustrated and wanted to transfer my salary to another bank, but my company requires a clearance certificate from HSBC. Again, I thought this is straight forward as I don't have loans or any outstanding amount, but to my surprise they charged me Dh100 for the letter and it took two working days (not to mention the time taken to travel to HSBC)!
Customers may be paying thousands of dirhams to do dealings with HSBC, as there are many other charges.
From A Reader
Name withheld by request
Dubai
Ms Andrea Jaishankar, Manager - Regional Communications, HSBC, replies: Please note the customer has been charged in line with HSBC Bank's policy.
