Reuters: Oman blocks audio app Clubhouse citing lack of permit, but some fear censorship. “Oman blocked U.S. audio app Clubhouse on Sunday because it did not have the right permit, authorities said, but some activists described the move as a further erosion of freedom of expression in the Gulf state.”
Times of Oman: New Twitter account for unified updates of COVID-19 in Oman. “The Government Communication Center (GCC) has launched a new Twitter account to update the latest developments in Oman’s fight against COVID-19.”
Times of Oman: Research centre collects data on over 7,000 species native to Oman. “The Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (OAPGRC) said it gathered data on at least 7,303 species native to Oman. The research body revealed the final number of species was actually higher and the numbers were still being collated…. The data collated by the organisation includes 1,400 Omani plant species, 2,600 animals, 2,500 marine species and 803 species of fungi and bacteria.”
The Conversation: How the absolute monarchy in Oman is turning to Twitter to help govern. “Research conducted by the Dubai School of Government into the Arab Spring of 2010-11 found that mass protests on the ground were often preceded by revolutionary conversations online, and that social media such as Twitter played a central role in shaping the political events. Having studied changes in internet traffic and social media use, they concluded that social media during the Arab Spring played a critical role in ‘mobilisation, empowerment, shaping opinions, and influencing change’.”
Times of Oman: Haitham launches revamped website of Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Culture. “As part of a major digital transformation programme, His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, inaugurated the fully revamped ministry website in collaboration with Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel)—the first provider of integrated telecommunications services in the Sultanate.”
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