Rules In Oman: TikTok Use, WhatsApp Calls Explained
Oman has introduced regulations for the use of VPNs and certain applications, such as WhatsApp calls and TikTok, in the country.
According to a report from the Oman Observer, companies running these services can either collaborate directly with telecom providers or work through them, explained a top official from the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRA) during their annual media briefing on April 23.
The TRA also emphasised that it does not directly ban these applications, but regulates their services through licensing and by encouraging local companies.
Although TikTok is not banned in the country, user issues are attributed to technical reasons.
Additionally, several TikTok users have started accessing the platform without a VPN.
All decisions made by the TRA aim to balance economic considerations with the needs of those benefiting from these services.
The country's laws are carefully developed, considering feedback from international companies offering these services. The community also has the opportunity to voice its opinion, the official added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
a day ago
- Daily Tribune
AI-generated Pope sermons flood YouTube, TikTok
AFP | Paris AI-generated videos and audios of Pope Leo XIV are populating rapidly online, racking up views as platforms struggle to police them. An AFP investigation identified dozens of YouTube and TikTok pages that have been churning out AI-generated messages delivered in the pope's voice or otherwise attributed to him since he took charge of the Catholic Church last month. The hundreds of fabricated sermons and speeches, in English and Spanish, underscore how easily hoaxes created using artificial intelligence can elude detection and dupe viewers. 'There's natural interest in what the new pope has to say, and people don't yet know his stance and style,' said University of Washington professor emeritus Oren Etzioni, founder of a nonprofit focused on fighting deepfakes. 'A perfect opportunity to sow mischief with AI-generated misinformation.' After presenting YouTube with 26 channels posting predominantly AI-generated pope content, the platform terminated 16 of them for violating its policies against spam, deceptive practices and scams, and another for violating YouTube's terms of service. The company also booted an additional six pages from its partner program allowing creators to monetize their content. TikTok similarly removed 11 accounts that were pointed out -- with over 1.3 million combined followers -- citing the platform's policies against impersonation, harmful misinformation and misleading AI-generated content of public figures. With names such as 'Pope Leo XIV Vision,' the social media pages portrayed the pontiff supposedly offering a flurry of warnings and lessons he never preached.
Gulf Insider
3 days ago
- Gulf Insider
WhatsApp To Introduce Usernames? Here's What You Need To Know
Soon, you may no longer need to give out your phone number to chat on WhatsApp. WhatsApp is working on a long-anticipated feature: usernames — allowing people to connect with others without sharing their actual phone numbers. This brings WhatsApp closer to platforms like Telegram and Signal, which have long offered similar privacy-centric options. According to findings from WABetaInfo (via Tecnoblog), traces of the feature were recently discovered in the TestFlight beta version for iOS. While it's not yet live for testers, WhatsApp appears to be building the system's framework and interface in the background. The introduction of usernames could mark a significant privacy milestone for WhatsApp, giving users greater control over who sees their personal information. Instead of displaying a phone number by default, the app will soon allow people to identify one another via unique handles. How will it work? Initial details reveal that users will be able to create a unique username consisting of lowercase letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. There are a few key rules: Usernames must contain at least one letter, to prevent all-number or symbol-based handles. Usernames can't start with ' to avoid confusion with websites. A confetti animation will confirm a successful username creation. Once live, your username will appear in chats and groups in place of your phone number — especially when people don't already have your number saved. This could be particularly useful for engaging in public groups or interacting with businesses and communities. WhatsApp plans to treat username updates the same way it handles profile photo or number changes — by notifying others in a system message within chats. This ensures transparency and helps contacts keep up with changes. Another neat addition: the web version of WhatsApp will eventually include a tool to check username availability before you commit to one. When will it launch? As of now, there's no official release date. But the fact that development strings are already showing up in recent beta builds is a strong indicator that the feature could be coming soon — part of a string of recent updates including the long-awaited release of WhatsApp's iPad app. With usernames, WhatsApp is taking a clear step toward more private and flexible communication, while catching up with its competitors in the modern messaging space.
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
TRA Bahrain recognised for global regulatory excellence
TDT| Manama Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has been awarded the prestigious Quality Choice Prize 2025 by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR), placing it among a select group of international institutions recognised for regulatory excellence. The award was presented during the annual Quality Convention and celebrates TRA Bahrain's performance in quality management, digital transformation, and adherence to international governance standards. It affirms Bahrain's growing presence on the global map of forward-thinking regulatory models. Institutional pride 'This international recognition is a testament to TRA Bahrain's dedication to quality and transparency across all levels of its work,' said Sh. Abdulla bin Humood Al Khalifa, Director of Consumer Affairs and Communication at TRA. 'We are proud to represent Bahrain on this global platform and will continue to uphold the highest standards in serving consumers and the telecommunications sector.' TRA Bahrain was selected for its strategic reforms, internal performance systems, and consumer-first approach to oversight. The recognition is also seen as a reflection of Bahrain's broader commitment to Vision 2030 through institutional improvement and regulatory clarity. Regional leadership Since its establishment in 2002, TRA Bahrain has worked closely with government, consumers, and telecom operators to modernise the Kingdom's communications infrastructure. It has earned a reputation for independence and transparency, helping position Bahrain as a regional hub for tech investment and digital governance. The ESQR award is expected to further reinforce Bahrain's image as a centre of excellence in regulation and innovation across the Middle East.
