Even though Netflix is mindful of which content is available in which region, the streaming giant landed in hot waters with Gulf states over ‘inappropriate content.’
Saudi Arabia’s media regulator said Gulf states have demanded the American streaming giant to remove content which is offensive to ‘Islamic and societal values’ in the region.
While it did not specify the content, Riyadh-based General Commission for Audio-visual Media did mention that the ‘offensive content’ in question included content aimed at children.
In a program talking about the matter, Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya TV presented blurred-out animated clips that appeared to show two girls embracing. Earlier, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Muslim states banned Walt Disney-Pixar’s animated feature film Lightyear from screening in theatres because it features characters in a same-sex relationship.
The Riyadh-based General Commission for Audio-visual Media statement said the content violated media regulations in the Gulf Cooperation Council, which groups Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait.
As per the regulator, should Netflix continue to broadcast the content, ‘necessary legal measures will be taken.’
The UAE issued a similarly worded statement regarding Netflix content. It also added that the country would follow up on the platform’s broadcasts in the coming days and ‘assess its commitment to broadcasting controls‘ in the country.
