UAE Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has reportedly ordered to block a number of online gaming websites, including Roblox, My Friend Cayla, Blue Whale, Cloudpets, and Mariam.
According to WAM, the move follows reports received by the Attorney General on the adverse impact of these games on youngsters’ behaviour and their infiltration into their personal and family lives, while pushing them into adopting forms of conduct that threaten the society.
The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) has been appointed to take all necessary measures to restrict these sites in collaboration with the telecommunication firms and internet service providers in the country.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has also been assigned to continue to investigate into the content of other suspected infringing websites and report its findings to the Public Attorney.
The Blue Whale “game” reportedly consists of a series of tasks assigned to players by administrators over a 50-day period, with the final challenge requiring the player to commit suicide. It is allegedly responsible for numerous cases of suicide worldwide.
Meanwhile, interactive online game – Mariam poses risks compromising the privacy of users as game gathers personal information. It asks the user personal questions like: Where is your home located; what’s your Facebook account and so on. These questions could be a way to penetrate into the device of the player, experts say.
