Social Media

Truth Social. Photo collage created by Al-Monitor.

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

The US president’s video depicting a future Gaza under American authority was widely shared on Arabic and Hebrew social media, with many Palestinian users criticizing it.

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.

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

In a series of posts on an X account attributed to her, Syria’s former first lady Asma al-Assad wished the Syrian people safety and said she will not intervene in political issues in the future.

Assad family

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

The son of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad posted about his family’s final days in Damascus before the rebel takeover.

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

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

The bill is seen as a major blow to the already weak independent civil society organizations in Turkey.

Latest News

Popular steakhouse accused of pork fraud divides Turkey

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

Analysis

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

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)

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Turkey blocks multiple X accounts, cites 'terrorist crackdown'

Turkey: Meta temporarily shuts down Threads following government order

LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images

Following Netanyahu, Israeli politicians flock to TikTok

With an election campaign practically virtual, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli politicians flock to TikTok.

Twitter suspends account linked to Iran's supreme leader following threat against Trump

The social media giant also suspended an account from an Iran-backed Iraqi militia commander; these actions follow the suspension of Donald Trump's Twitter account earlier this month when he was still president.

New WhatsApp terms spark antitrust investigation, exodus from app in Turkey

Turkey launched an antitrust investigation into Facebook and its popular messaging service WhatsApp Monday after the application’s new privacy terms raised concerns, prompting some users to seek alternatives.

This picture taken on October 5, 2020 in Toulouse, southwestern France, shows logos of US social networks Facebook and Instagram on the screens of a tablet and a mobile phone. (Photo by Lionel BONAVENTURE / AFP) (Photo by LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)

Facebook closes suspicious accounts from Iran, Muslim Brotherhood

The accounts engaged in coordinated activity aimed at manipulating public opinion in Israel, Tunisia and other countries. Facebook has gone after Iranian information operations before.

In this picture taken on September 30, 2020 shows logos of social networking websites displayed on a mobile phone's screen in Istanbul. - Turkey on Thursday starts life under a new social media law that threatens to erase the local presence of Facebook and Twitter should they fail to take down contentious posts.The new legislation was pushed through by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling AKP party and follows the government's crackdown on opposition newspapers and television channels. (Photo by Ozan KOS

Facebook, Twitter, other social media companies fined in Turkey

The Turkish government issued Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other major platforms fines of $1.18 million each for failing to comply with a new social media law.

Facebook removes Iran-linked network targeting Americans

The tech giant said the network was discovered early in its operations.

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US government announces seizure of 92 Iran-linked websites

The US seizure of the news sites allegedly connected to the Iranian government came before new US sanctions on Iranian banks.

Facebook rebuffs Turkey’s controversial social media law

Facebook told Turkish civil society members it would not comply with Ankara’s new social media law over concerns it would limit free speech rights, setting the stage for possible fines and access blocks on the platform as other social media companies consider their options.

Employees walk past a lighted Twitter log as they leave the company's headquarters in San Francisco on August 13, 2019. - Twitter on August 13 said that by the end of the year users will be able to follow a small number of interests the same way they follow people. The feature will be rolled out internationally as the one-to-many messaging platform makes a priority of being an online venue for conversations rather than a pulpit for one-way broadcasting to the masses. (Photo by Glenn CHAPMAN / AFP) (Photo by

Twitter says it closed Iranian government accounts focused on US election

The social media company said it received the information on Tehran's purported activity during the first US presidential debate from the FBI.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MARCH 23: The YouTube and Netflix app logos are seen on a television screen on March 23, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan passed a new law on March 22 extending the reach of the country's radio and TV censor to the internet. The new law will allow RTUK, the states media watchdog, to monitor online broadcasts and block content of social media sites and streaming services including Netflix and YouTube. Turkey already bans many websites inc

Google closes YouTube accounts linked to Iranian government

Facebook took similar actions against apparent Iranian misinformation.

Intel: Israeli court orders Netanyahu's son to stop tweeting personal details of protest leaders

The son of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was ordered by an Israeli court on Sunday to stop harassing those leading protests against his father’s administration.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JULY 29: In this photo illustration, social media apps are seen on a mobile phone on July 29, 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkey's parliament passed a new law Wednesday, to regulate social media content. The law will require foreign social media companies to have an appointed Turkish-based representative to deal with any concerns authorities have over content. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Is it time for Turks to bid farewell to YouTube, Twitter, Netflix?

Social media is already considered a right in Turkey, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s new social media censorship bill is likely to increase participation on a multitude of platforms.