Access means better security
Privacy is indeed an important issue and WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption helps protect it (‘Facebook debate: Privacy vs access for security’, Gulf News, April 17). But, with cyber crime on the rise, curbing security access is definitely wrong. How else would the authorities come to know from where a false rumour, a fake video or picture on a dangerous incident originated?
How can the truth behind cyberbullying be unearthed if the authorities, the third party, cannot access these conversations? Even if the messages are encrypted, I think that hackers will always find a way to access messages. If government agencies around the world stick to an ethical charter that they will not interfere with messages without the public’s permission, and that all data collected will be confidential, then the encryption can be modified to provide access for government agencies.
Encryption is indeed good, but it can be misused in the absence of security access. The underlying truth is that no technology is perfect. It always has a low point. It is up to the users to use technology for a higher purpose, rather than to exploit it for inhumane reasons.
From Ms Maria Vincent
Dubai
Children need siblings
I would say two is the ideal number of children for a family (‘Poll analysis: What’s the ideal number of children in a family?’, Gulf News, April 15). It is best for children to have siblings, in order for them to learn, share and respect others. Also, parents can easily raise them well, financially.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
UAE
Facebook comment
All about choice
It has nothing to do with fertility and it has everything to do with choice. In the West, parents do not have to rely on their children to look after them when they get old. People have good pensions and other state benefits so parents can choose when to have children and how many they want to have.
From Mr Michael Abbott
UAE
Facebook comment
No substitute for contact
The poor little koala in this video (‘Social media trend report: Video footage of an orphaned koala goes viral’, Gulf News, April 14). Nothing substitutes body contact. Even being surrounded by loving humans, a warm bed, food and a soft teddy, physical contact is necessary for these creatures – especially if they have no mother to raise them.
From Ms Erika Santos
UAE
Facebook comment
Tesla was a visionary
Nikola Tesla was the inventor, hands down (‘Facebook video: Who invented the radio?’, Gulf News, April 14)! We wouldn’t have these wireless technologies if not for Tesla. He was a visionary and a true inventor while the others who copied his inventions were mere businessmen.
From Ms Maynard Laspuna Saga
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Learn to be grateful
Surprises, smiles, tears, laughter, pain, happiness and sorrow is all part of life. Take a moment from your day and thank someone whom you have always wanted to thank, but couldn’t. Be it your parents, who brought you up, your wife, who is your companion for life, your children, in whom you have a lot of hope, your friend, who has been with you through your odds and evens, or maybe someone whom you haven’t been in touch with for a long time. The list can be long, but time doesn’t wait. Did our friends have any idea of the fire in the building in Ajman? Did they have any clue of the recent plane crash in Russia? Accidents and tragedies happen, so let’s try making our lives simpler, easier and happier. Pick that handy thing you can’t live without and call/text anyone and everyone whom you have forgotten to thank! A ‘thank you’ will cost nothing.
From Ms Shreeja Pillai Aiyer
UAE
Care for Syrian lives
The recent elections in Syria and the victory of Bashar Al Assad is not astonishing (‘Syria peace talks resume as violence surges, testing truce’, Gulf News, April 14). This is a country where 250,000 people have lost their lives and half of the population has migrated to other countries, with most living in refugee camps. This kind of election can only add misery to the lives of Syrian people. Due to continuous use of barrel bombs by the Al Assad regime on civilian areas, half the country has turned to rubble.
Mosques, hospitals and schools are not safe from heavy shelling. Several areas of the country are still besieged by Al Assad’s forces and people are finding it hard to provide the daily necessities of life for their families. Only Iran and Russia are still supporting Al Assad’s regime, only for personal gains, which is very unfortunate.
Instead of sending humanitarian aid and saving innocent people’s lives, Russia is sending a team of archaeologists to save the ruins of Palmyra, which I feel, is also unfortunate. The world community is still divided on the Syrian issue and things are going from bad to worse there.
From Mr Khawaja Omar Farooq
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Who will punish criminals?
When courts free criminals, then only God can punish them (‘Pakistan court upholds order to lift travel ban on model Ayyan Ali’, Gulf News, April 14). Unfortunately, the judiciary system in Pakistan has become corrupt. Who is there to punish criminals? What a shame.
From Mr Mohammad Kashif
Dubai
Facebook comment
What a shame
It’s a very poor decision. Instead of punishing this silly woman, she has been set free by the judiciary of Pakistan. The world has witnessed the so-called justice system of Pakistan. It’s a shame!
From Mr Abdul Rahman
UAE
Facebook comment
Law applies to all
We want a corruption-free Subcontinent, with young leaders. The corrupt ones must be banished. We want a law that is equal for everyone.
From Mr Nitin Manghnani
Sohar, Oman
Facebook comment
Can’t compromise safety
Rest in peace to those who died in the accident (‘Crane collapse kills 18 in China’, Gulf News, April 15). This is the second massive accident in Guangdong, China, in less than a year. It looks like the country is in a rush to industrialise. But they are being careless or compromising on safety methods. The authorities need to get stricter.
From Mr Mitu De
New Delhi, India
Facebook comment
Should we be concerned?
The crane collapse is very sad, but what is even sadder is that China is to construct nuclear power stations and, with this example of how conscious they are of safety, I am now more than a little worried.
From Mr Howard Collings
UAE
Facebook comment
Let’s not overreact
I’m sure China has adequate safety regulations, but it is probably difficult to keep track of all companies to make sure they have kept up to date on their training and equipment. China has the largest population in the world. I am not about to pretend that it’s easy to manage the sheer quantity of small and medium size companies they need to regulate.
It’s not fair to say that the construction of nuclear power stations would not be properly monitored. This is obviously a very serious industry and I imagine that not just anyone could receive such contracts. Let’s be realistic.
From Mr Atticus Brown
UAE
Facebook comment
Nothing new for politics
A host of Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) functionaries led by Indian politician Peter Alphonse, have returned to their parent party, Congress. No doubt, they may call it a homecoming, but in reality it is quite possible that the TMC and its allies would not have given any ticket to Alphonse or his wards.
Incidentally, there is news that Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), too, have joined. Hence, such a homecoming and the forming of new parties is nothing new in Indian politics, especially during election time.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Mylapore, India
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
