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‘Beeto’ App Founding Partner to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Not Copying Twitter

The Beeto app logo and description. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Beeto app logo and description. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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‘Beeto’ App Founding Partner to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Not Copying Twitter

The Beeto app logo and description. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Beeto app logo and description. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The new “Beeto” app, a multi-diverse content social media platform dedicated to users in the Arab world, has spread like wildfire despite the abundance of social media apps.

Captivating the attention of Arab users, Beeto is being branded by many as the Arabic version of Twitter. But Beeto CEO Jack Chen rejected these claims, saying the app has no intentions of copying its competitors.

“It is not a replica of Twitter as it enjoys many unique characteristics… we will support and protect users as long as they express themselves freely without disturbing others,” said Chen, defending the app in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat.

Admitting that all social media platforms are similar to some extent, Chen argued that Beeto brings something new to the table.

“Using Beeto, you will have a different feeling,” he promised.

“We did not build this platform on our own, but we did so alongside users,” noted Chen, adding that this has helped users feel that they are a part of Beeto.

Chen went on to emphasize that Beeto is a Chinese app and that it was launched in the Middle East because of the region’s vibrant cultural scene.

“We chose to focus our investments on the Middle East market because of its cultural richness … people here have a great desire to coexist in the same region, just as it is in China, for this reason, we sought this market as an opportunity for us,” he said.

Chen, who is also Beeto’s founding partner, revealed that the app has met astonishing success among Iraqis and Saudis.

Answering privacy concerns tied to the app, he reaffirmed that protecting the privacy of users remains a top priority at Beeto, and that global privacy standards concerning personal data are being implemented.

Sophisticated security and encryption methodologies are applied to provide a safe environment for Beeto users, he explained.

Beeto’s quick rise to popularity, according to Chen, is credited to the rich and interactive content it offers. Hosting the accounts of influencers, celebrities, and official entities has played a key role in driving traffic to the app.

“I would like to proudly announce that after only three days of officially launching the application, we ranked first in app stores in many countries and user feedback is very positive,” Chen told Asharq Al-Awsat.

When asked about ownership, he revealed that Beeto is a product of WEO Technology, a Chinese company he started with a group of friends.

With offices set up in Riyadh and Beijing, Beeto is eyeing expansion to other Arab countries.

“We are planning to open other offices in Egypt, Morocco and Lebanon,” Chen revealed.

As for why Riyadh was selected for opening the first branch in the Middle East, he cited a host of reasons that involved facilities Saudi Arabia offers to foreign investors.

“We have started from Riyadh for several main factors that included the ease of investment procedures for foreigners following reforms introduced by Vision 2030, the Saudi economy being the largest in the region and the Kingdom having advanced technical infrastructure,” he remarked.

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Interviews

UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.