Focusing on ‘YouTube’, the latest awareness document issued by the TRA comes as part of the wider collection entitled ‘The UAE Social Media White Papers’
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has launched a white paper on YouTube usage, which comes as part of ‘The UAE Social Media White Papers’ collection. Aimed at highlighting the terms and conditions of the most popular social networks in use in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the latest release focuses on YouTube, which has more than one billion unique visitors every month and over 100 hours of video uploaded every minute.
YouTube is a video sharing website that allows billions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. Registered users can upload an unlimited number of videos and leave comments on other videos. Much of the content is filmed and uploaded by individuals. The service also offers professionally produced content including films, television programmes and music videos from certain YouTube partners. The majorities of videos are free to view and are supported by advertising.
The laws of the UAE prohibit the publication of content, which is contrary to public morals, the principles of Islam and the social and moral welfare of the UAE, or any content that contains irreverence towards Islam and any other heavenly religions. The content must also respect the UAE Government, its leadership, political institutions and ultimately the UAE’s cultural heritage and social norms and customs. In reference to ‘YouTube’, the white paper highlights the following information as a priority for all respective subscribers:
Firstly, users are prohibited from undertaking predatory behaviour, stalking, threats and harassment of others. Harassment could include copying a user’s channel layout, using a similar username or posing as another person. Secondly, users must only upload videos which they have made or which they are authorized to use. Thirdly, YouTube is owned by Google. In using the YouTube service, users agree to Google’s terms relating to the collection and sharing of their personal information.
The TRA initiative launched during their first media briefing were they published earlier the Facebook and Twitter white papers. The social networks that is included in the initiative ‘The UAE Social Media White Papers’ collection are as follows: Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube; Yahoo/Flickr; LinkedIn; Gmail; Microsoft Outlook; Apple Store; Blackberry and Keek.
