The United Arab Emirates discusses the prohibition of voice chat in the popular online game PUBG.
UAE Federal National Council (FNC) Member Naima Al Sharhan called on authorities to block voice chat features in the popular online game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). The proposal is related to fears that players may become victims of cyber criminals.
Naima Al Sharhan, head of the FNC's education committee, had previously called for a complete ban on PUBG due to content containing violence. According to her, PUBG can have a harmful effect on the mental and physical health of gamers. A game in which the characters fight each other in a virtual battle is already banned by the Iraqi parliament and is blocked in one of the Indian regions.
Ms. Al Sharhan told the Telecommunications Authority (TRA) that the "damage" caused by the game can be reduced if the voice chat option is disabled.
Hamad Al Mansouri, head of TRA, told FNC that the regulator has already introduced parental controls on Apple and Android devices since June 2018. "This gives parents the opportunity to control the number of hours their children spend in the game," he said, also noting that parents are responsible for spending time with the children, and emphasized that in many countries the game has a rating of 16+.
Mr. Al Mansouri said that the TRA will not make a decision to ban the game or change the functions that it provides to players. "The National Media Council is responsible for the content and age rating." At the same time, he added that TRA held workshops to educate parents and students about the potential risks of online games.
