YouTube Responds to Saudi Request to Remove Offensive Ads

09 June 2022, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Rottweil: The logo of the American company YouTube can be seen on the screen of a computer. (dpa)
09 June 2022, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Rottweil: The logo of the American company YouTube can be seen on the screen of a computer. (dpa)
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YouTube Responds to Saudi Request to Remove Offensive Ads

09 June 2022, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Rottweil: The logo of the American company YouTube can be seen on the screen of a computer. (dpa)
09 June 2022, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Rottweil: The logo of the American company YouTube can be seen on the screen of a computer. (dpa)

YouTube responded on Monday to an urgent Saudi request to remove ads that violate Islamic values and principles.

A spokesman for the platform in the Middle East confirmed that the offensive ads that had appeared on the service were removed.

“Protecting society is one of the platform’s top priorities in Saudi Arabia and around the world,” the spokesperson said.

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM) and the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) released a statement demanding the platform remove the offensive advertisements.

They noted that YouTube showed advertisements directed at users in the Kingdom that included broadcasting content that conflicts with “Islamic and societal values and principles and are in violation of the media content controls in the Kingdom and the policy of the YouTube platform.”

“In the event that the violating content continues to be broadcast, the necessary legal measures will be taken in accordance with the two communications and audio-visual regulations.”

The Google-owned company was quick to remove the offensive content.



China Vows to Protect its Rights against US Chip Probe

A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
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China Vows to Protect its Rights against US Chip Probe

A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
A Chinese flag is displayed next to a "Made in China" sign seen on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo

China's commerce ministry vowed on Monday to take all necessary measures to safeguard its rights and interests in response to the United States' investigation into the Chinese semiconductor industry.

The investigation will disrupt global chip supply chains and harm the interests of US firms and consumers, the ministry statement said.

On Monday, the Biden administration announced a last-minute trade investigation into Chinese-made "legacy" semiconductors that could heap more US tariffs on chips from China that power everyday goods from autos to washing machines to telecoms gear, Reuters reported.

The "Section 301" probe, launched just four weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, will be handed over to his administration in January for completion, Biden administration officials said.

The effort could offer Trump a ready avenue to begin imposing some of the hefty, 60% tariffs that he has threatened on Chinese imports.

Departing President Joe Biden has already imposed a 50% US tariff on Chinese semiconductors that starts on Jan. 1. His administration has tightened export curbs on advanced AI and memory chips and chipmaking equipment to China and also recently increased tariffs to 50% on Chinese solar wafers and polysilicon.