Twitter has suspended thousands of UAE-linked Twitter spam accounts, which had been using fake names to promote state propaganda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The micro-blogging website said a total of 4,258 UAE-based accounts tweeting mostly against Qatar and Yemen had been banned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We suspended a separate group of 4,258 accounts operating uniquely from the UAE, mainly directed at Qatar and Yemen,” Twitter said in a statement.
“These accounts were often employing false personae and tweeting about regional issues, such as the Yemeni Civil War and the Houthi Movement.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Twitter added that the accounts were managed by a private company operating in the UAE and Egypt \u2013 two countries known for their crackdowns on state freedoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“We also found evidence that these accounts were created and managed by DotDev, a private technology company operating in the UAE and Egypt,” Twitter said.
“We have permanently suspended DotDev, and all accounts associated with them, from our service.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Six Twitter accounts that have been linked to the Saudi regime were also suspended, including the account of Saudi torture mastermind and former royal court adviser\u00a0Saud al-Qahtani.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dubbed Saudi Arabia’s Steve Bannon, he was responsible for finding Riyadh\u2019s “online enemies” and coming up with a list of potential targets for Saudi intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Twitter said his account has been permanently suspended for manipulating the platform for his agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Separately, we have also permanently suspended the Twitter account of Saud al-Qahtani for violations of our platform manipulation policies. This account is not included in the archives disclosed today,” Twitter said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n