Snapchat's Ban In Bahrain: Why And What Now?

Snapchat is a social media network that has been banned or restricted in several countries. In 2017, the app blocked Al Jazeera's 'Discover' service in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, following pressure and censorship requests from these countries' authorities. This was seen as a violation of media freedom and the individual right to access information. Snapchat has also been at the center of several controversies in Saudi Arabia, with users arrested for their posts.

Snapchat blocked Al Jazeera's account in Bahrain

Snapchat has blocked Al Jazeera's 'Discover' service in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The social media company said it was complying with local laws in the countries where it operates.

The Qatari-funded broadcaster, Al Jazeera, is accused by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain of spreading pro-extremist propaganda on its Arabic version. They allege that Qatar supports extremist groups in the Middle East, which Qatar and Al Jazeera deny.

Al Jazeera's Acting Director-General, Dr Mostefa Souag, commented:

> "It is surprising that governments and global technology companies believe they can block access to media content and news material in today’s open information sphere. Al Jazeera Media Network has achieved great success in attracting millions of followers worldwide due to its professional coverage. We will not be deterred and will continue to produce and provide professional media content to Arab youth through various social media platforms."

Al Jazeera's Executive Director of Digital, Dr Yaser Bishr, added:

> "Today we launch our Instagram channel to reach out to our audiences with new and captivating content produced by young journalists from diverse backgrounds. This comes as part of Al Jazeera’s digital transformation strategy to reach users on all available platforms and to prove to the world that press freedom and access to information are basic rights which regimes cannot take away as they did in the past."

Al Jazeera's Instagram channel will provide stories that cover important regional and international current affairs events of interest to Arab youth and general users of the platform.

Al Jazeera launches new content on Instagram

On 28 September 2017, Al Jazeera Media Network announced the launch of its new daily content on Instagram. This came days after Snapchat blocked Al Jazeera's 'Discover' service in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. The photo-sharing app submitted to pressure and censorship requests from these authorities.

Dr Mostefa Souag, Al Jazeera Media Network's Acting Director General, commented on the launch:

> "It is surprising that governments and global technology companies believe they can block access to media content and news material in today’s open information sphere. Al Jazeera Media Network has achieved great success in attracting millions of followers worldwide due to its professional coverage. We will not be deterred and will continue to produce and provide professional media content to Arab youth through various social media platforms."

Dr Yaser Bishr, Al Jazeera's Executive Director of Digital, added:

> "Today we launch our Instagram channel to reach out to our audiences with new and captivating content produced by young journalists from diverse backgrounds. This comes as part of Al Jazeera’s digital transformation strategy to reach users on all available platforms and to prove to the world that press freedom and access to information are basic right [s] which regimes cannot take away as they did in the past."

Al Jazeera's Instagram channel will provide stories that cover important regional and international current affairs events of interest to Arab youth and general users of the platform.

Snapchat submitted to censorship requests from authorities

Snapchat has been banned or restricted in several countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. In these countries, the app has faced pressure and censorship requests from authorities. While Snapchat has submitted to some of these requests, it is important to understand the context and implications of these actions.

In 2017, Snapchat blocked Al Jazeera's 'Discover' service in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. Al Jazeera, a Qatari-funded broadcaster, had its content removed at the request of the Saudi government, which accused the channel of spreading pro-extremist propaganda. This incident highlighted the complex dynamics between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with Snapchat caught in the middle.

Snapchat's decision to submit to censorship requests from authorities has been controversial. While the app aims to cooperate with law enforcement and government agencies to ensure valid requests for information are fulfilled, it also faces criticism for potentially violating media freedom and the right to access information. Snapchat's actions in censoring Al Jazeera's content were seen as a concession to pressure from the requesting authorities.

It is worth noting that Snapchat's operations involve working with governments and law enforcement agencies to address concerns and comply with applicable laws. The app has stated that it proactively escalates content that could pose imminent threats to life or bodily harm. However, it also emphasizes the importance of user privacy and strives to balance information disclosure with legal and privacy requirements.

Snapchat's submission to censorship requests from authorities, such as in the case of Al Jazeera, underscores the challenges faced by social media platforms operating in diverse geopolitical contexts. While Snapchat aims to respect local laws and maintain a presence in these markets, it also grapples with the impact of its actions on freedom of expression and access to information. As Snapchat continues to navigate complex regulatory environments, its approach to censorship requests will remain under scrutiny.

Snapchat bans can be due to protecting mental health

Snapchat has been banned in Bahrain, along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In 2017, Snapchat blocked Al Jazeera's 'Discover' service in these countries, submitting to pressure and censorship requests from their authorities.

The negative impacts of Snapchat on mental health are particularly pronounced for teen girls, who are one of the biggest user groups of the platform. A survey of 1,500 people aged 14-24 in the UK found that Snapchat was one of the social media channels that most negatively impacted their mental health. The survey respondents noted that photo-sharing apps like Snapchat can easily make girls feel their bodies aren't good enough.

The addictive nature of Snapchat and other social media platforms can also lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, as users may spend excessive time online instead of engaging in face-to-face social connections and physical activities that are crucial for optimal development. Additionally, the constant comparison to idealistic photos on Snapchat can cause dissatisfaction and low self-esteem, which can lead to various mental health conditions.

To combat the negative mental health impacts of Snapchat, some experts have suggested implementing checks and balances on the platform to highlight more of the positive effects. This includes monitoring posts to identify users who may be struggling with mental health issues and flagging photos that have been digitally manipulated. By addressing these concerns, it may be possible to turn Snapchat into a more positive and helpful experience for users.

Snapchat bans can be due to protecting culture

Snapchat has been banned in Bahrain, along with other countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Snapchat bans can be due to protecting culture, as well as for reasons related to national security, user privacy, social control, reducing displays of behaviour considered immoral, economic protectionism, protecting mental health, technological sovereignty, and regulatory compliance.

In the case of Bahrain, the ban appears to be related to protecting culture and reducing displays of behaviour considered immoral. Snapchat blocked Al Jazeera's account in Bahrain, submitting to pressure and censorship requests from the authorities. Al Jazeera, a Qatari-funded broadcaster, was accused by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Bahrain of spreading pro-extremist propaganda and supporting extremist groups in the Middle East. The broadcaster and the Qatari government denied these allegations.

The ban on Al Jazeera's Snapchat channel in Bahrain and other countries is seen as a violation of media freedom and the individual right to access information. It is part of a broader effort to censor Al Jazeera, which included removing it from television screens and blocking access to its website.

Snapchat's decision to block Al Jazeera's account in Bahrain and other countries is a result of submitting to pressure from the authorities and their censorship requests. This move has been criticised as a violation of media freedom and the right to access information.

While Snapchat aims to comply with local laws in the countries where it operates, its involvement in censorship and content restriction can have significant implications for freedom of expression and access to information, especially in regions with restrictive media environments.

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