5/24/2019 CLFR - Qatar | Global Network Initiative In cases involving national security and general emergency, the Qatari ministries and law enforcement agencies can directly approach communication service providers and require them to assist law enforcement agencies in achieving their objectives, which could involve implementing a technical capability that enables direct access to their network (without the communications service provider’s operational control or oversight). DISCLOSURE OF COMMUNICATIONS DATA The powers outlined above in relation to real-time interception may also be used to order the disclosure of communications data. NATIONAL SECURITY AND EMERGENCY POWERS In all cases of national security and general emergency, the Qatari government agencies and law enforcement agencies can directly approach communications service providers to access their customers’ communications data and/or network. OVERSIGHT OF THE USE OF POWERS There is no judicial oversight of the use of the powers outlined. Article 63 of the Telecommunications Law states that the employees of ictQATAR who are vested with powers of judicial seizure by a decision from the Attorney General, following the agreement by the Chairman of the Board of ictQATAR, shall seize and prosecute offences committed in violation of the rules of the Telecommunications Law. CENSORSHIP-RELATED POWERS In this section, we refer to Decree Law No. (34) of 2006 on the promulgation of the Telecommunications Law (Telecoms Law) and No. (1) of 2009 on the promulgation of the Executive By-Laws for the Telecommunications Law (Telecoms By-Laws). SHUT-DOWN OF NETWORK AND SERVICES NATIONAL SECURITY OR PUBLIC EMERGENCY Under Article 59 of the Telecoms Law, service providers (such as Vodafone) must comply with the requirements of any government department where such requirements relate to national security or a general public emergency. It is feasible that Vodafone could be required to shut down its network or services. CRA LICENSING Each network provider operates under a licence. Articles 3, 4 and 12 of the Telecoms Law and Article 15 of the Telecoms By- Laws provide that ictQATAR and Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) https://globalnetworkinitiative.org/clfr-qatar/ 2/4