Social Media

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Culture

How Argentina-Spain World Cup final became debate over Israel, Palestine

Governments and fans alike have turned teams and players into symbols of political division.

Attendees take a picture of French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe as he delivers a speech during a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum on February 10, 2018, on Saadiyat island in the Emirati capital, to launch the French-Emirati "Year of Cultural Dialogue". (Photo by KARIM SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

What we know about UAE blocking X accounts accused of misinformation

A number of X accounts including Al Arabiya Breaking are now not accessible in the Gulf state as Abu Dhabi navigates regional turmoil.

United Arab Emirates

RICCARDO MILANI/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images

UAE AI investor MGX moves closer to strategic stake in TikTok US

The state-linked Emirati investment firm is set to acquire a 15% stake in the social media platform's new US business as part of a plan that would avert a nationwide ban starting in 2026.

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Gulf investors emerge as key players in US social media giants TikTok, Snap, X

With UAE tech investor MGX set to take a stake in TikTok's US operations, investors from the Middle East could cement their role in America's social media landscape.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

Trump’s AI Gaza video elicits mockery from Middle East social media users

Truth Social. Photo collage created by Al-Monitor.

In first since regime fall, Syria’s Asma al-Assad breaks silence: What to know

Syria's first lady Asma al-Assad harvests Damascena (Damask) roses in the village of al-Marah, in the Damascus countryside, Syria, May 25, 2023.

After sharing escape plan, Hafez Bashar al-Assad's alleged X account suspended

Assad family

Turkey’s proposed ‘foreign agent’ law threatens press freedom, critics say

Turkish members of parliament attend a session at the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, in Ankara, on Dec. 11, 2023.

A man looks at high meat prices at a butcher in the historic Ulus district in Ankara on Jan. 27, 2023.

Popular steakhouse accused of pork fraud divides Turkey

While official tests revealed traces of pork, the company’s owner suggests a “dark plot.”

MUNICH, GERMANY - JANUARY 24: Pavel Durov of Vkontakte speaks during the Digital Life Design conference (DLD) at HVB Forum on January 24, 2012 in Munich, Germany. ence and culture which connects business, creative and social leaders, opinion-formers and investors for crossover conversation and inspiration. (Photo by Nadine Rupp/Getty Images)

Analysis

Telegram CEO's arrest spotlights UAE’s investment-based citizenship laws

The United Arab Emirates is showing that it takes its citizenship laws seriously and has vowed to fight for Telegram founder Pavel Durov.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Turkey blocks multiple X accounts, cites 'terrorist crackdown'

Turkey has mounted repeated attacks on the Kurdish-led region on the grounds that it is governed by terrorists.

LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey: Meta temporarily shuts down Threads following government order

It remains unclear whether the platform will become available again in Turkey.

This picture taken on Sept. 30, 2020, shows logos of social-networking websites displayed on a mobile phone's screen in Istanbul.

Turkey hands Meta $148K daily fine over antitrust violation

Turkey’s competition watchdog also imposed an interim measure to suspend data-sharing between Instagram and Threads.

Blue and gold check marks were removed from Press TV's X account.

Twitter/X removes verified status of Iranian state media accounts

The move followed a report suggesting X may be violating US sanctions by offering paid services to sanctioned Iranian organizations.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was removed from Facebook and Instagram on Feb. 8, 2024, by Meta.

Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei banned from Facebook and Instagram

Khamenei remains active on X and has praised Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel on the platform.

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a video conference at the presidential Elysee Palace on Oct. 20, 2023.

How France is targeting Hamas financing

Representatives of 20 countries gathered in Paris to formulate a plan against the financing of Hamas and expand sanctions against its members.

In this handout image provided by the GPO, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) takes Elon Musk (L) on a tour of Kibbutz Kfar Aza after the Oct. 7 massacre took place there, on Nov. 27, 2023 in Kfar Aza, Israel.

What's behind Elon Musk's visit to Israel, meeting with Netanyahu?

On a visit to Israel, American billionaire Elon Musk called for a halt to the hate propaganda that he said enabled the Oct. 7 attack and also expressed willingness to help reconstruct Gaza.

TikTok

Saudi campaign to boycott TikTok spreads to private sector

Many Saudis are calling for a boycott of the popular social media platform over it allegedly removing pro-Saudi content.

X Linda Yaccarino

Twitter/X erases thousands of Israel-Hamas posts after EU disinfo warning

The 27-nation bloc has also issued similar ultimatums to Meta and TikTok, imploring the companies to take fake posts about the conflict off their social media platforms.

In this photo illustration, the messaging service Telegram app is seen on a mobile phone on Jan. 11, 2021.

Iraqi militias continue to use Telegram despite block

Iraq’s state media channel switched to the Israeli-founded Viber in response to the ban. Telegram is popular with protesters and militias alike in Iraq.