Snapchat blocks Al Jazeera in Saudi Arabia

MENA

Published: 2017-09-18 19:28

Last Updated: 2024-03-29 08:17


Saudi Arabia advocates for shutting down Al Jazeera claiming the network "supports terrorism". (Photo Credit: Reuters)
Saudi Arabia advocates for shutting down Al Jazeera claiming the network "supports terrorism". (Photo Credit: Reuters)

Snapchat representatives stated that they were asked by Saudi authorities to remove Al Jazeera for "violating local laws". 

In the latest development of the ongoing diplomatic crisis between Qatar and the Saudi-bloc including the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, Saudi Arabia further increased its highly restricted media environment by monitoring the content on Snapchat. 

Saudi authorities are particularly keen on shutting down Al Jazeera, as one of the main reasons used to justify cutting diplomatic ties with the Persian Gulf state. 

Saudi Arabia has one of the largest social media markets in the region, largely due to a high rate of smart phone ownership, which some analysts claim puts web developers in an awkward position. 

"We make an effort to comply with local laws in the countries where we operate," a Snapchat spokesperson said in a statement.