Clubhouse Removes Personal Info from Users’ Accounts in Afghanistan

Social audio app Clubhouse removed personal info from users’ accounts in Afghanistan as a safety measure, The Verge reported on Saturday.

The app joined other social platforms in taking steps to protect the privacy and safety of its users in Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, Clubhouse reset tens of thousands of its Afghan users’ bios and photos, which made their accounts more difficult to discover in search.

https://twitter.com/ZDaryabi/status/1428233850296184836

However, a spokesperson for Clubhouse said the implemented measures didn’t affect the users’ followers, and all of the changes can be reversed if a user prefers.

The spokesperson added that the company consulted with free expression and violent extremism experts to help craft its approach.

Furthermore, the platform has also been reminding its Afghan users that it does allow pseudonyms for human rights or safety purposes.

As the Taliban have regained control of the country, many people in Afghanistan have tried to delete photos from their social media accounts and phones that could show a connection to the West, or the former Afghan government.

Despite bans on many platforms, the Taliban has been able to push its messaging on social media, becoming sophisticated at social media tactics in an attempt to change its image, according to The Washington Post.

On Thursday, Facebook said it had added security measures for users in Afghanistan, including hiding “friends” lists and adding a tool to quickly lock down accounts.