14 DAY TRIAL // Without a doubt, each country out there has its own rather strange set of rules and regulations (strange from the point of view of common sense, that is), some having little effect on its citizens, while other are actually pretty disturbing, and this also seems to be the case right now in Kuwait, the small Arab country actually banning the use of DSLR cameras, for some reason. As the Kuwait Times reports, it would seem that the ban was set by the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Finance, who recently jointly came to the conclusion that photography should be used for journalism purposes only, and for this reason, decided to actually officially forbid the use of Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLRs) in public, on the streets and in malls (home use is still allowed, though). However, strange enough, we're not talking here about all photographic equipment because, make no mistake, the ban doesn't affect point-and-shoot cameras or cameraphones, it only refers to DSLRs. Apparently, the problem with DSLRs is not related to their features, but just to their size, most people around Kuweit having a bit of a problem when they see someone using such a high-end camera (especially when a telephoto lens and a grip are attached as well), probably out of the fear that the photographer will invade their privacy. And the worst part is that tourists traveling to Kuwait are apparently also being warned that the law will apply to them as well, so if you're planning to make a trip there in the near future, it's perhaps a good idea to leave that big ol' DSLR of yours behind and, as hard as it might be, move to a point-and-shoot device. Wonder what this regulation has to say on pocket DSLRs, though...
Use of DSLRs banned in Kuwait
hot right now