(Image Source: Bharat Lines)

BY ORKIDE IZCI

ANCHOR CHRISTINA HARTMAN

The UN is calling Syria’s escalating violence a “civil war.”

And now -- Syrian authorities are banning the iPhone, a tool observers say has been an important part of the Arab Spring.

International Business Times says authorities are trying to keep anti-government protesters from recording video.

Video and photos posted to social media shows the Syrian government cracking down on protesters. But without recording tools like the iPhone, getting information out is likely to get more difficult.

Lebanese news web site Elnashra says it has the official announcement of the iPhone ban, which says having an iPhone can have serious consequences.

“The authorities threaten confiscation and prosecution for anyone found with an iPhone.”

But this is not Syria’s first effort at censoring information. Authorities have imposed other sanctions earlier this year. The Register has more.

“Syrian internet connections, for example, were strangled in July, in what appeared to be a government-orchestrated effort to stifle communication among activists. The regime has also banned most foreign media from entering the country to cover the protests.”

At the same time, the European Union has banned exports of surveillance technology to Syria, but not for the same reason. Al Jazeera reports -- the international community is trying to keep the flow of information free.

“There are more sanctions by the United States, the European Union and the Arab League.
The EU on Thursday announced the banned exports of equipment and technology to the Syrian oil and gas sector. Also banned anything that could be used to monitor the Internet and telephone communications.”

Apple’s late leader Steve Jobs -- is half Syrian. His biological father -- Abdel-Fattah Jandali -- is speaking out against the Syrian government’s decision to block the iPhone. Here he is as part of a movement called the Syrian Sit-in, courtesy of YouTube.

"I am in solidarity with the Syrian people. I reject the brutality and killing that the Syrian authorities are committing against the unarmed Syrian people. And because silence is participation in this crime, I declare my participation in the Syrian Sit-in on YouTube."

It’s unclear whether other smart phones are included in the ban.