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5 Kinds of Posts Prohibited by Twitter Middle East

In this day and age, social media has become a powerful platform for sharing information, doing business, and communication in general. That being said, certain rules must be set in place to ensure that social media is being used responsibly, and not for ill purposes.

ALSO READ: Social Media Usage in UAE – Penalties and Fines

On Monday, 25th November 2019, Twitter Middle East launched a region-wide campaign against offensive language, violent images, and illegal streaming of sports games — among others — urging platform users to report “spammy” content and help clean up the network.

Twitter ME Urges Users to Report “Spammy” Posts

Recently, Twitter has been criticised for allegedly failing to address content posted and shared by extremists groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, The National reported.

In response, the network stated that 38 percent of abusive content is now detected through technology and sent for human review — a huge improvement from zero percent last year, when Twitter relied mostly on users to report abusive content on the platform.

The network also mentioned that from July 2018 to June 2019, it challenged 291 millions accounts for spammy behaviour, and 75 percent of these have been ultimately suspended.

The head of Twitter’s policy and government relations in the Middle East and North Africa, George Salama, shared that Twitter is constantly working to address spammy behaviour as quickly as possible. Likewise, he pointed out that the company needs to do more in terms of educating people about the safety tools available whenever they use the platform.

5 Kinds of Posts Not Allowed on Twitter

Through a series of videos in Arabic, Twitter ME warned users against posting and sharing:

Rude, offensive, and bad language;
Violent, gory images of accidents and war zones;
People’s personal information (e.g. phone numbers) without permission;
Passing off intellectual property rights (e.g. pictures and videos) as if they were your own; and
Live streaming of sports games without a license.

What’s more, the company has asked its user to help identify fraudulent accounts, so that these may be challenged and taken down if necessary. These include accounts that post unsolicited content and those that impersonate public figures.

Twitter has also cautioned against sharing violent images, especially in a region where war and conflict are often in the news. While some may think that sharing such images is acceptable, Salama explained that this is actually a violation of the company’s rules.

Sharing media that is excessively gory violates Twitter’s safety rules, Salama said. By raising awareness about Twitter’s rules and reporting systems, the company hopes that users in the region would be able to “freely and safely participate” in the public platform.

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If you’re a social media user, be sure to avoid posting offensive language, violent images, and other prohibited content on Twitter and other networks. What’s more, if you happen to be based in Qatar, check out these things to avoid and social media etiquette in the Kingdom.

Things to Avoid and Social Media Etiquette in Qatar

In many parts of the world, we learn that various rules and regulations apply concerning behaviour and social conduct. And as the world moves progressively forward, we should also understand that values such as respect and tolerance of one another must still prevail amid the bold changes that come with the modern ages.

ALSO READ: Social Media Usage in UAE – Penalties and Fines

And being an Islamic nation, Qatar is one of those countries that strictly adhere to the principles and teachings of their religion as seen in their culture and way of life. Understanding these things is an important step in living harmoniously with the people, who come from various walks of life, convictions and principles.

Social Media in Qatar: Things to Avoid

And as connectivity has become a way of life for many of us, those who wish to build a life in Qatar, or any country in the Middle East, for that matter, must understand that there are certain laws that apply as to how people can share information over social media or through the internet.

To help us understand the specifics of what this entails, continue to read on below:

With the signing of an Emirati law that protects the citizens from being attacked and abused online, it’s important that we become acquainted of the law’s provisions and what this means for us as residents of Qatar, as well:

On spreading fake news:

Content that would pose a threat to national safety, sovereignty of the state, public order, as well as international peace shared over the internet may be fined by up to QAR 500,000 and/or sentenced with a maximum of three years’ imprisonment.

On sharing or creating pornographic content:

Any media or material containing pornographic content involving a child shared over the internet may be fined by up to QAR 500,000 and/or sentenced with a maximum of five years’ prison term.

On violation of social values and principles:

Posting materials with information of another private entity such as news, pictures, or videos, and their family member(s) without their consent may be fined by up to QAR 100,000 and/or sentenced with a maximum of three years’ imprisonment.

On slander or threatening a person online:

Any form of malicious attacks on a person’s privacy and dignity online in the form of blackmailing, bullying, or sending threats in exchange for a favour may be fined by up to QAR 100,000 and/or sentenced with a maximum of three years’ prison term.

It’s imperative that we exercise discipline and critical thinking whenever we use social media, even if we only choose to express our personal opinions to a certain group of people or audience.

And since the use of information technology and social media in countries such as Qatar among others is sanctioned by the state, everyone should treat this as a privilege and to exercise conscientious decision-making at all times to avoid getting into trouble with the law.

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Social Media Usage in UAE – Penalties and Fines

There are certain rules and policies that you should follow when using social media or doing online activities in the UAE. Just like other Middle East countries such as Qatar, Saudi, etc., the UAE has strict laws and imposes Fines and penalties if somebody complains about what you post. So please check out these rules to be aware how to behave online.

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Internet is indeed one of the greatest millennial invention. Because of the internet, we are able to access files and data whenever and wherever we are. We are able to communicate with our loved ones across the globe as well. In fact, some people have found the life of their lives via online. These are just few helpful things among many the technology has produced for us. Do you wonder what our life would be without the internet?

6 Major Rules of Using Social Media in UAE

Commonly, people used social media platforms in order to connect to the online world. Popular apps such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram have gained billions of user, still counting. If you are frequent user of these apps and happened to be in United Arab Emirates, you must know that there are some rules to follow when you use social media. For better understanding, we listed 6 common rules an expat in UAE should be aware of.

No to online prostitution. Online prostitution is considered illegal in UAE. So if you don’t want to be fined and serve time in jail, better use social media as conservative as you can.
Respect each other’s privacy. Although the internet can be too open sometimes, privacy should still be observed. If you are caught violating this rule, you will have to pay up to AED 1,500,000.
Rumors or gossips are as bad a crime. Using the social media to post rumors and gossips are not allowed in UAE, especially when it involves the security, peace, and order of the country. Avoid this so you don’t have to spend a second in jail.
Get consent first before posting someone’s picture or information. The sentence is as clear as sky. Getting one’s permission post is a must. If you happen to break this rule, you are going to pay up to AED 150,000 and even spend time in prison. Better yet, just avoid posting photos of others.
No sharing or posting of information that are against the Islamic moral and values. When you use the social media, use it rightly. We should be aware that anything that will hurt the Islamic moral and values is an offense and has an equivalent punishment.
No to illegal online sites. There are apps that are banned in UAE, Skype and Facetime for example. If you’re caught using illegal channels or without a license to use those apps, you’re going to face at least 1 year in jail or pay fine equivalent up to AED 250,000. VPNs area also illegal in the UAE.

Be careful what you post as it can get back to you if you post something negative, demeaning and invading other’s privacy. This is done with extra caution if you are in the gulf region as there are corresponding (and sometimes ridiculously huge) fines and sanctions for violators.

Social media platforms are a big help to all of us. If users remain responsible, there won’t be any problems with its usage. You must be aware of the rules wherever you are because knowing the rules can save you. After all, you don’t want to end up in jail or pay these penalties.

Social Media Rules to Follow as an Expat in Qatar

We all know that social media becomes a big part of our generation nowadays. Because of that, people tend to be more expressive in posting every single thing that is happening in their everyday lives. Well, it’s a way something different in Qatar. Residents of Qatar only used Internet for communication and information though news and social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and etc. In this article, we will be able to know the things that should be avoided to do on Social Media in Qatar.

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The Emir of Qatar signed a law that contains rules and regulations to protect social media users from abusive activities happening online. This also promotes social values not only in their country but also to others. Here are some of the things that people should not do on social media in Qatar.

social media rules in qatar — There are strict laws governing social media and usage of online sites when you are in the Gulf region. Please be aware of them and follow them accordingly.

Qatar Social Media Law – Online Violations, Penalties and Fines

Please make sure you follow these guidelines and you should be aware that you cannot freely post your sentiments online. There are strict policies and practices you should follow and be aware of to avoid penalties and fines.

Spreading False News

Any fake news regarding the information of the state’s safety, public order, and international peace that are spread on the internet by any Qatar resident shall be fined up to 500,000 Riyals, or up to 3 years of imprisonment.

Producing Pornographic Materials

Any pornographic materials that are spread or shared on the internet by Qatar residents shall be fined with 500,000 Riyals, and up to 5 years of imprisonment.

Violating Social Values or Principles

Any news, pictures, or videos, posted by Qatar residents to the internet regarding to the person’s family without their permission or consent shall be fined with 100,000 Riyals, and up to 3 years of imprisonment.

Posting disrespectful contents against religious beliefs

According to the Social Crimes Chapter of the Qatar Penal Code, if a resident posted any disrespectful content against any religion shall be fined with 10,000 Riyals, or up to 10 years of imprisonment. On the other hand, according to “Crimes Related to Religions and the Violability of the Dead”, the person who violated the rule shall be fined with 100,000 Riyals, or up to 1 year of imprisonment.

Spreading Private Information of People

According to Article 333 of Qatar Penal Code, “whoever illegally intrudes into another person’s private life and without consent” through different means such as taking pictures of other people in a private place using any type of device, shall be fined up to 5,000 Riyals, or up to 1 year of imprisonment.

Slandering or Threatening a Person Online

Insults, slanders, threats, and blackmails in the internet are also can be subjected similarly with criminal sanctions. Any blackmail, bullying, or threatening activities of a person on the internet shall be fined with 100,000 Riyals, and 3 years of imprisonment.

All of these violations on social media rules in Qatar give rise to criminal sanctions which can be attributed with fines or imprisonment. Additionally, if there are foreign nationals who violate these rules,they may be deported as per the court order.

So please take note of these properly to avoid issues in the future. These may be specific to Qatar, but for any country in the Gulf region, it is always best to understand them as they are also applicable in other countries where you are residing in the Middle East as an expat.