As the data protection scandal plaguing social media giant Facebook continues to unfurl, it appears obvious lessons are not being learned. The US government is proposing to gather social media data from visa applicants as part of the vetting process. The change is likely to affect 710,000 immigrant and 14 million tourist visa applicants annually. The irony is unlikely to escape Americans: while companies like Cambridge Analytica harvested user data with the intention of subverting democracy, the US government is increasing its scrutiny under the guise of legitimacy, ostensibly to protect citizens and maintain order but effectively acting as a police state. The policy is part of US President Donald Trump's push for "extreme vetting" of foreigners and follows rules implemented last May facilitating selective social media monitoring. Critics have expressed concern about the policy's implications for freedom of speech. Indeed, one wonders why one of the world's slickest and most powerful surveillance states needs to investigate the social media accounts of applicants. Could it be designed to make future visitors think twice before criticising the mercurial US president? Generally, it fits a trend that has seen social media users express growing discomfort at the quantity of data they have surrendered to internet companies, who will no doubt be unnerved by the level of scrutiny.
Assuming the change is for security purposes, it may be ineffective. Terrorists planning intricate attacks are unlikely to broadcast them. Besides, those who have expressed a predisposition towards violence on social media – including the perpetrator of the recent Parkland school shooting – often go unnoticed. Another valid concern, reminiscent of Mr Trump's disastrous Muslim travel ban, is that the policy is inherently divisive, excluding visitors with visa waivers from Britain, France, Germany and Canada. Mr Trump has made a habit of stoking racial tensions and attacking his social media detractors. It would be extremely concerning if, amid a Facebook scandal sparking fears about data harvesting, the US government appears tone-deaf in invading privacy still further.
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
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What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
