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Indonesia Vows To Ban Whatsapp Within 48 Hours

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Indonesia on Monday vowed to block Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp Messenger within 48 hours if the service did not ensure that obscene Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) images were removed.

WhatsApp, which is widely used in Indonesia said message encryption prevented it from monitoring the third-party providers Indonesians use to search for GIFs.

It asked the government to work with the providers instead.

Semuel Pangerapan, a Director-General at Indonesia’s Communications and Informatics Ministry, said WhatsApp would be blocked within 48 hours unless the images supplied by third parties were taken off the service.

“Yes, true. They have to follow the rules of the host,” Pangerapan said of the proposed block.

“The ministry had sent three letters to WhatsApp over the issue.

“They have responded, but asked us to speak directly to the third party. The GIFs appeared in their apps.

“Why do we have to be the one speaking to the third party? They are supposed to be the ones managing it,” said Pangerapan.

Tenor, a third-party provider of GIFs to WhatsApp, had been blocked, Pangerapan said.

Tenor did not immediately respond to a request for comment.“In Indonesia, WhatsApp lets people search for GIFs using third-party providers,” a Whatsapp representative said in a statement.

“We are not able to monitor GIFs on WhatsApp since content is end-to-end encrypted. We’ve directed the Indonesia government to work with these third-party providers to review their content.”

Indonesia had 69 million monthly active Facebook users as of the first quarter of 2014, ranking the country fourth globally after the U.S., India and Brazil, company data showed.

Some reaction on Indonesian social media to the threatened block was skeptical.

“While you’re at it, why don’t you block Twitter too, (and) if necessary all browsers in the Playstore, because it’s way easier to search for porn there than on WhatsApp,” wrote one Twitter user, with the handle @jnessy.

Another, using the handle @yogirswnt, said “Does the government want to block WhatsApp? In the case of Telegram it was only a bluff, but if true, it is so unfortunate.”

Indonesia briefly blocked access this year to some channels of the Telegram messaging app, saying its forums were “full of radicals and terrorist propaganda”, before reaching a pact with the messaging service on how to rein in propaganda.

The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) had urged the communications ministry to block pornographic GIF images accessible via emoticons, complaining that children could easily reach them, according to news website kompas.com.

Celebrities

Tyla praises Tems for opening door of global recognition for female artistes in Africa

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Tyla, the South African singer, says Tems, the Nigerian songstress, paved the way for global recognition of female African artistes.

The music stars recently joined forces on ‘No.1’, a song off Tyla’s self titled album.

In a recent interview on Kiss Fresh FM, Tyla described Tems as an “amazing” singer who opened doors for African female artistes globally.

She also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with her.

“Amazing. Tems is so talented. She is literally a force. I am so honoured to have worked with her. She has opened so many doors for us,” she said.

“We made such a beautiful song with such a beautiful message. It is a song for the girls and it is made by the girls.”

In 2023, Tyla revealed Tems inspires her as an African artiste.

In response, Tems graciously accepted the accolades, and expressed confidence that Tyla is similarly empowering young South African girls through her music.

“Man, it is an honour, I am very very, 100% sure that she’s inspiring many many many many South African babe, many girls around the world as well”, she said.

Both artistes have continued to enjoy fame globally for their talents.

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Music producer Dr Roy calls out Mercy Chinwo over unpaid debt (Video)

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A Nigerian music producer identified as Dr Roy in a video breaks into tears as he narrates his ordeal while working with gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

The middle-aged Nigerian music producer tearfully calls out gospel singer Mercy Chinwo over unpaid debt.

Dr Roy made this call out while featuring as a guest on the audio-visual podcast “The Honest Bunch: hosted by media personality Nedu and co-podcasters.

According to Dr Roy, he used to work with gospel singer Mercy Chiwno till 5 am then wake up by 7 am everyday in a back to back manner.

Speaking further, Dr Roy asserts that he produced, Excess Love, Omekannaya, Regular, Receive it and more for Mercy Chinwo and she never paid him.

Dr Roy further breaks into tears while on the podcast as he stressed that he was working hard while with Mercy Chinwo thinking he would make millions to feed his family but she left her with nothing but unpaid debt.

He noted that there was a time he informed Mercy Chinwo that his father had a stroke and she should assist him but she responded by saying “Make I no worry, he would be fine.”

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Uche Ogbodo claims Adanma Luke is not culpable for Junior Pope’s death

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Uche Ogbodo has spoken up for Adanma Luke, the producer of the forthcoming movie that Junior Pope, the late actor, was supposed to feature in.

Pope died in a boat mishap on April 10 while being ferried across the Asaba end of the River Nigeria in Delta state.

It was stated that the actor, a father of three, was on his way to a movie set when he drowned.

He passed away alongside four other crew members in the boat accident.

Footage from the ride had showed him in the boat without a life jacket.

Pope’s demise spurred discussions about the general disregard for safety protocols on movie sets.

Adanma Luke, in the heat of public backlash, was suspended by the Association of Movie Producers (AMP).

In a series of posts via her Instagram story, Ogbodo condemned those who suggested she remain silent on the matter.

The actress described Luke as a “friend” and added that the producer is not culpable for the tragedy that befell the boat riders.

“Do not tell me not to support my friend who has always supported me!” Ogbodo wrote.

“I am a loyal friend! Show me through your love and I will follow you through hell if I have to! Adanma Luke is innocent.

“All the people saying it is the wrong time! I have one question for you.

“When is the right time? Huh? When she is already arrested and sentenced for what she knows nothing about?”

Earlier, Blessing Ebigieson, the AMP president, also defended Luke against accusations of negligence.

She claimed that the producer had provided life jackets for the crew but Pope refused to wear one, saying it was “dirty”.

Ebigieson added that Pope had the option to leave the set if he did not like the life jacket.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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