Ideas 25 February 2021 On Clubhouse, Saudis are speaking freely. For now. Saudi users are talking about everything from feminism to politics on the audio-only platform. How long before authorities notice?
Feature 21 February 2021 Funding the needy, or funding terror? Social media platforms are struggling to figure out how to deal with fundraising campaigns that flirt with the boundaries of what’s legal.
News 11 February 2021 Social media influencers in the Gulf are breaking their silence Normally averse to controversy, influencers in the region are using their platform to address harassment.
News 3 February 2021 What Iran’s Signal ban means for its social media future Internet censorship is a hot-button issue ahead of this year’s presidential elections.
News 3 February 2021 The UAE sees its future on Mars A young team of Emirati scientists is behind an ambitious bid to reach the red planet.
Longreads 2 February 2021 The cleric has uploaded a new video Turkish clerics on YouTube attract millions of viewers — but perhaps no one is watching them as closely as the Erdoğan government.
Tech 101 3 December 2020 Snapp: Your guide to Iran’s indefatigable version of Uber Despite brutal U.S. sanctions and being banned by Apple and Google, Snapp continues to survive and captures 85% of the Iranian taxi market.
News 9 November 2020 Selfies and Sharia police After countrywide protests and pandemic lockdowns, Iranian Instagram has taken a decidedly political turn. The authorities are taking note.
Longreads 19 October 2020 Travel influencers, meet authoritarian regimes The influencer industry has grown to be cozy with some unsavory governments, but its clout might not be as effective as it once was.
News 21 September 2020 Designed in Minecraft, built IRL In Gaza, citizens are imagining what public spaces could be, and then actually building them.