Gulf states warn Netflix over content that 'contradicts Islamic values'

Several Gulf states criticized Netflix today over what they said is inappropriate content, in an apparent reference to LGBTQ material

A committee of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a statement calling on the US-based streaming platform to remove content that “contradicts Islamic and societal principles and values,” including some children’s content. The GCC committee is currently chaired by Saudi Arabia, per the statement. 

The United Arab Emirates’ Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority issued a similar statement today, referring to content that is allegedly not in accordance Emirati law as well as inappropriate for children. The Saudi government also reportedly reportedly released its own statement on the matter. 

Why it matters: None of the entities specified what exactly is wrong with the content. However, the Saudi state-owned Al Ekhbariya TV channel aired an interview today with a consultant who accused Netflix of being an “official sponsor” of homosexuality. 

Gays, lesbians and other sexual minorities face repression in many Muslim majority countries in the Middle East, and homosexuality is illegal in much of the region. Turkey and Jordan notably do not criminalize homosexuality. 

The statements by GCC members today followed a similar controversy over the LGBTQ pride flag in the Gulf. In June, Al Ekhbariya televised a report that promoted the idea that rainbow-colored toys serve to promote homosexuality. The accusation was in reference to the rainbow flag many in the LGBTQ community fly. The same month, the Kuwaiti government called on the public to report sightings of the rainbow colors. 

Netflix already censors some of its content related to the LGBTQ community. For example, Netflix’s LGBTQ page is accessible in the United States but not in some Middle Eastern states. 

Know more: A related controversy is currently brewing in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, where a bill is being considered that would criminalize LGBTQ activism in the autonomous region.