It might be time for Nokia to change its slogan from “Connecting people” to “Controlling people”!
DN:
Half a year ago Finnish-German Nokia Siemens Networks sold of one of world’s most advanced systems for surveilance of telecommunications to Iran.
Just in time for the extremely disputed presidential election in June 12th the system was fully operational so that the regime could wire tap and read all voices and messages of the opposition.Untill now the world has paid attention to the fact that the regime has been able to block internet pages and email traffic. Now it’s clear that they also can read and wire tap all messages via stationary and wireless telephony.
SvD also reports about this. (Here on Google you can autotranslate the articles in Swedish.) The whole thing started with this article in Wall Street Journal:
Interviews with technology experts in Iran and outside the country say Iranian efforts at monitoring Internet information go well beyond blocking access to Web sites or severing Internet connections.
[…]
Asked about selling such equipment to a government like Iran’s, Mr. Roome of Nokia Siemens Networks said the company “does have a choice about whether to do business in any country. We believe providing people, wherever they are, with the ability to communicate is preferable to leaving them without the choice to be heard.”
It’s time to boycott Nokia Siemens to show them that doing business with dictator regimes is NOT acceptable. (Here’s a Facebook group about the subject. Wired.com also reports about this under the headline: “Consumers Boycott Nokia, Siemens for Selling to Iran“.
I have a Nokia phone and a Siemens modem which will be sold and replaced by other brands a.s.a.p. LG, Motorola and Sony Ericsson, here we come. 
The only way I will ever go back to Nokia and Siemens is if the two companies publicly announce (world wide) an apology AND use their technical expertise to break the wall of censorship in Iran and make up for the damage they’ve done.
Contact your regional Nokia Siemens office and let ’em know how you feel:
Nokia Siemes Networks Sweden
Nokia Siemens Networks AB
P.O. Box 1113, (Torshamnsgatan 20)
SE-164 22 Kista, Sweden
Switchboard no: +46 8 41 00 83 00
Fax: +46 8 41 00 85 70
Nokia Siemens Networks West South Europe, North East Europe, and North America.
“Corporate responsibility is not just a “nice to have” – it is a fundamental statement of intent, of the ethics and responsibility that all of us must demonstrate to society as a whole.”
Jag har idag sänt följande mejl till Ritta Mård. Känn frihet att planka och/eller sno formuleringar efter behag:
Dear Ritta Mård,
I am deeply concerned about the information that Nokia Siemens has delivered a system for surveillance of the Internet in Iran. While it is bad enough to supply a dictatorial regime with the tools it needs to oppress its people, as we have seen in the aftermath of the stolen election in Iran, I would like to know if surveillance of the Internet is a major business idea of yours and if we can thus expect to be monitored by multiple regimes, groups, and other people and organisations in the future, due to your technology.
I object in the strongest possible words to such prying on and potential violation of our right to privacy, the freedom of expression, and the exchange of information on the Internet. Until your company has satisfactorily confirmed that you are ceasing with supplying such tools to violators of the freedom of the Internet in general and oppressive regimes in particular, I shall personally avoid all contact with Nokia and Siemens products and urge others to do the same.
Best Regards,
Nån som vet vilket märke det är på Revolutionsgardets batonger så att vi kan klaga hos tillverkaren? Deras bilar? Skjutvapen? Skor? Motorcyklarna de åker runt på? Firman som tillverkar järnrören?
Good thinking.
It’s allready taken care of: Jag bojkottar redan batonger och skjutvapen.
Hi there,
Thanks for your post, just wanted to let you know that a Nokia boycott campaign is already underway at: http://www.NokiaNo.com or campaigns.aicongress.org/nokia