The official Telegram channels of Hamas and the al-Qassam Brigades became inaccessible for Telegram users who downloaded the app through the Google Play Store on Sunday night.
Telegram responded to the block on Sunday night, saying “Some of the channels you are following may stop being accessible in your version of Telegram because of Google Play’s guidelines.”
Last week, the online search giant Google appeared to have removed the name ‘Sinai’ from its widely-used mapping service.
The alteration led to widespread indignation across Egyptian social media platforms, with numerous users expressing their shock and disapproval.
The omission was first noticed by eagle-eyed netizens who, during their routine searches, found a vast empty space where the name “Sinai” once proudly stood.
Several users were quick to compare older versions of the map, confirming that the name was indeed present earlier and had been inexplicably deleted.
The Sinai Peninsula, historically significant and geopolitically strategic, has been an integral part of Egypt for centuries. It not only represents a vital geographical landmark but also holds deep cultural and emotional ties for Egyptians.
Google Maps, as one of the world’s most popular digital mapping services, has been instrumental in shaping how we perceive the geographical layout of our world.
Any changes, especially those related to territorial names and borders, are bound to catch the public’s eye and elicit strong reactions.
Given the cultural and historical significance of Sinai to Egyptians, it’s unsurprising that this omission has touched a nerve.
