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Saudi could - I think people accept Saudi is a religious oligarchy - but the UAE is a playground of international people avoiding tax and ostensibly a first wor

by nailer 5mo ago

Saudi could - I think people accept Saudi is a religious oligarchy - but the UAE is a playground of international people avoiding tax and ostensibly a first world country, Facebook being banned would highlight how ridiculous the government that did that is.

somenameforme 5mo ago
It's an authoritarian autocracy. I'm not using that as a slur against them as it seems like quite a nice place to stay for a while, but it's simply what it is. An American spent the better part of a year in a max security prison there for the high crime of making a video mocking youth culture. [1] I'm rather surprised to find out that Facebook isn't already banned! In looking it up turns out you can get into legal trouble there for things as small as using suggestive emojis, and they are watching. Kind of funny in a way. Anyhow, yeah - Facebook being banned in UAE would surprise exactly nobody that's familiar with their government. People are willing to tolerate a whole lot of nonsense for 0% taxes! [1] - https://apnews.com/general-news-4c1f57ed465940659eeb79b41447ed55 https://apnews.com/general-news-4c1f57ed465940659eeb79b41447...
- Georgelemental 5mo ago
  Even disregarding the ability to criticize the government, Western expats seeking 0% tax want to be able to talk with their family, friends, and business partners elsewhere in the world. UAE banning Meta platforms reduces the country's appeal for foreigners
- nailer 5mo ago
  > An American spent the better part of a year in a max security prison there for the high crime of making a video mocking youth culture: Here's the video - parent is right this is incredibly mild: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUk5CB9kaBY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUk5CB9kaBY From the article: "he was charged with endangering state security under a 2012 cybercrimes law that tightened penalties for challenging authorities." "Cassim has been in the maximum security prison at Abu Dhabi since June. In December, he was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison, a fine and deportation."
platevoltage 5mo ago
The US empire accepted the fact that Saudi Arabia kidnapped and dismembered one of their journalists, among other things such as suspiciously supplying most of the 9/11 hijackers. They kind of have a free pass to do whatever they want.

by nailer 5mo ago

somenameforme 5mo ago

It's an authoritarian autocracy. I'm not using that as a slur against them as it seems like quite a nice place to stay for a while, but it's simply what it is. An American spent the better part of a year in a max security prison there for the high crime of making a video mocking youth culture. [1] I'm rather surprised to find out that Facebook isn't already banned! In looking it up turns out you can get into legal trouble there for things as small as using suggestive emojis, and they are watching. Kind of funny in a way. Anyhow, yeah - Facebook being banned in UAE would surprise exactly nobody that's familiar with their government. People are willing to tolerate a whole lot of nonsense for 0% taxes! [1] - https://apnews.com/general-news-4c1f57ed465940659eeb79b41447ed55 https://apnews.com/general-news-4c1f57ed465940659eeb79b41447...

Georgelemental 5mo ago
Even disregarding the ability to criticize the government, Western expats seeking 0% tax want to be able to talk with their family, friends, and business partners elsewhere in the world. UAE banning Meta platforms reduces the country's appeal for foreigners
nailer 5mo ago
> An American spent the better part of a year in a max security prison there for the high crime of making a video mocking youth culture: Here's the video - parent is right this is incredibly mild: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUk5CB9kaBY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUk5CB9kaBY From the article: "he was charged with endangering state security under a 2012 cybercrimes law that tightened penalties for challenging authorities." "Cassim has been in the maximum security prison at Abu Dhabi since June. In December, he was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison, a fine and deportation."

platevoltage 5mo ago

The US empire accepted the fact that Saudi Arabia kidnapped and dismembered one of their journalists, among other things such as suspiciously supplying most of the 9/11 hijackers. They kind of have a free pass to do whatever they want.