The Hamas-run radio station Al-Aqsa Voice has become available for download on the Apple Store, sparking significant controversy. The app, which allows users to listen to broadcasts from the Gaza-based station, has raised questions about Apple’s internal review processes and the potential for misuse by terrorist organizations.
Key Takeaways
- The Al-Aqsa Voice app is available for iPhones and iPads on the Apple Store.
- The app has an age rating of +17 due to “Mild/moderate realistic violence.”
- Middle East analyst Eitan Fischberger discovered the app and raised concerns about Apple’s review mechanisms.
- There are calls for Apple to remove the app immediately.
- The app is no longer available on Google Play.
- Al-Aqsa Voice also has inactive accounts on Soundcloud, X, Facebook, and Telegram.
App Availability and Features
The Al-Aqsa Voice app, which is free to download, allows listeners to tune into the broadcasts of the Gaza-based radio station. The app has an age rating of +17, attributed to “Mild/moderate realistic violence.” This rating has added to the concerns about the app’s availability on a mainstream platform like the Apple Store.
Concerns Raised by Analysts
Middle East analyst Eitan Fischberger, who first discovered the app, has been vocal about the potential risks associated with its availability. Fischberger questioned the effectiveness of Apple’s internal review mechanisms in preventing terrorist organizations from exploiting its platform. He emphasized the need for Apple to take immediate action to remove the app and address the oversight that allowed it to be listed.
Calls for Immediate Action
Fischberger and other critics have called for Apple to remove the app from its store. They argue that the app could be a tool for spreading propaganda and radicalizing susceptible individuals. The presence of speeches by Hamas political leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar on the station has further fueled these concerns.
Comparison with Other Platforms
Interestingly, while the Al-Aqsa Voice app is available on the Apple Store, it is no longer accessible on Google Play. The radio station also has accounts on other platforms like Soundcloud, X, and Facebook, but these have not been updated for several months. Additionally, the station’s Telegram account appears to be inactive.
Conclusion
The availability of the Al-Aqsa Voice app on the Apple Store has ignited a debate about the responsibilities of tech companies in monitoring and regulating content on their platforms. As calls for the app’s removal grow louder, it remains to be seen how Apple will respond to these concerns.
Sources
- The Hamas radio station app can be downloaded on Apple Store – The Jerusalem Post , The Jerusalem Post.