Houseparty and other social apps blocked in Qatar?

Qatar residents expressed their disappointment on the recently blocked apps from a local network provider. While complaints about the barred services have been circulating online, the telco company announced on Twitter:

"Dear customers,
Regarding what's being circulated about several blocked apps, we'd like to clarify that this issue is out of our control. Thank you for your understanding.#Ooredoo"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dear customers,<br>Regarding what's being circulated about several blocked apps, we'd like to clarify that this issue is out of our control. Thank you for your understanding.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ooredoo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ooredoo</a></p>— Ooredoo Qatar (@OoredooQatar) <a href="https://twitter.com/OoredooQatar/status/1247460678178390016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Many people were dismayed for the sudden unavailability of apps like Houseparty, a social networking service that enables group video chatting through mobile and desktop apps.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">?????? <a href="https://t.co/xTwMoO6NWo">pic.twitter.com/xTwMoO6NWo</a></p>— ???? ?? ???? ?????? (@NewMajid) <a href="https://twitter.com/NewMajid/status/1247466862243237889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The social app tweeted today:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Unfortunately we believe that our app may have been blocked for users in Qatar. This was not an action taken by Houseparty. We're hoping the situation changes as soon as possible ??</p>— Houseparty (@houseparty) <a href="https://twitter.com/houseparty/status/1247397508361285632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"Why do you have to ban all social networking services available! It is hard enough for us to not see our families and friends!"

One man stressed that the virus has made him lose weight and gain it back, miss up his assignments and now the Houseparty app.

Another Twitterati said that banning the Houseparty app under these circumstances [Covid-19 outbreak] is unacceptable. He added:

"We’re all in quarantine and literally all what we do is staying on the phone with our families & friends."

"Ooredoo, we’re all in quarantine and literally all what we do is staying on the phone with our families & friends,
Banning houseparty under these circumstances is very selfish and unthoughtful? Focus on your corporate social responsibility!! @OoredooCare @OoredooQatar"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ooredoo, we’re all in quarantine and literally all what we do is staying on the phone with our families & friends,<br>Banning houseparty under these circumstances is very selfish and unthoughtful? Focus on your corporate social responsibility!! <a href="https://twitter.com/OoredooCare?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OoredooCare</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OoredooQatar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OoredooQatar</a></p>— Harhoor AL-Mannai (@iHarhoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/iHarhoor/status/1247245430385188865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Having previously blocked services of several VoIP apps, including Skype, FaceTime & WhatsApp, <a href="https://twitter.com/OoredooQatar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OoredooQatar</a> just blocked Houseparty despite the @MOTC_QA ‘s determination that the use of VoIP apps is legal in Qatar.</p>— Haya (@hayakf_) <a href="https://twitter.com/hayakf_/status/1247348539010711552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"what was the reason to banned houseparty @/ooredoo pic.twitter.com/kdxh8jCnaM

— (@savvdi) April 6, 2020"