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GCC users demand action against 'sleazy' Snapchat contents

Dubai - Many users lodged complaints to the TRA through its Twitter page, and the latter had referred it to the technical department to contact Snapchat.

UAE's telecommunications watchdog, Emirates Telecommunications Regulatory Au-thority (TRA), has asked California-based social media app Snapchat to remove some contents that are against the UAE's culture and traditions. The authority said it has received a positive reply from the company, which has removed some of the objectionable content.
Users of the app, which is largely popular in the GCC countries, have expressed resentment over the latest update of the app and the video clips being posted since the celebration of Lesbian and Gay Festivals worldwide. They allege that the footages showed nudity and other sexually explicit actions without any age restrictions or warning.
Many users lodged complaints to the TRA through its Twitter page, and the latter had referred it to the technical department to contact Snapchat. The authority is still waiting for reply from the company.
Visitors of the social network websites in the GCC shared news that were published by international newspapers on the rising complaints against Snapchat, and the lawsuits filed against the company. One of the complaints filed by the mother of a 14-year-old boy at a California court said many posts on the app are annoying for the children.
The complaint said Snapchat is being sued for exposing minors to 'harmful, prurient and sexually offensive' content without warning in its Discover tab, the section where publishers like BuzzFeed and Vice share stories exclusively designed for the service.
The complaint mentions many stories appeared on Discover, including one titled '10 things he thinks when he can't make you orgasm' provided by Cosmopolitan magazine.
She said there are millions of parents in the US who have no idea about the content posted via Snapchat, which could be offending for children who use the app.
A number of users in the UAE said they are waiting for Snapchat's reply to the TRA to decide on further actions including demand for removal of some of its contents.
Snapchat has enjoyed relatively fast rise to prominence in the digital world, attracting as many as 150 million users, mostly youth.
A year and half ago, Facebook reportedly offered to buy Snapchat for $3 billion, which was turned down by Snapchat's then 23-year-old CEO, Evan Spiegel.
Snapchat was exposed to a barrage of security threats and investigations regarding its policy on privacy.
The complainant demanded compensation of US$50,000 for each and every violation.
If the boy wins the lawsuit, it will, for sure, open a Pandora's box of compensations for the company.
malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com
Watch: What not to post on Snapchat in UAE.