News

Omantel Partners With Shaffra To Boost AI And Metaverse Tech

The strategic move will accelerate the country’s digital transformation and transform the local ICT infrastructure.

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2025

omantel partners with shaffra to boost ai and metaverse tech

In an agreement formalized at Riyadh’s LEAP 2025 Conference, Omantel has teamed up with Shaffra Technology Labs in a strategic move to bring advanced AI and metaverse solutions to Oman. The technology from Singapore-based Shaffra will be integrated into Omantel’s cloud services and made available to both government institutions and private businesses.

Eng. Aladdin Bait Fadhel, Omantel’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the company’s commitment to driving digital transformation in Oman. “At Omantel, our vision is to solidify our leadership role as a key enabler of Oman’s digital transformation and to be the premier provider of innovative technology solutions in the region. Our collaboration with Shaffra will significantly contribute to developing cutting-edge technology solutions, particularly in artificial intelligence, for our customers”.

Shaffra’s CEO, Al Harith Al Atawi, echoed the enthusiasm, highlighting how the partnership will introduce advanced AI and metaverse solutions to the Omani market, and noting a key initiative, the AI employee project, that has already gained traction across various government and private entities in multiple countries. “We aim to deliver a unique experience for Omantel customers through this partnership and innovative projects that enhance productivity and reduce costs,” said Al Atawi.

Also Read: Qareeb Partners With Pantheon For GCC Bitcoin Mining Expansion

The Shaffra partnership aligns with Omantel’s ongoing efforts to attract cutting-edge global technologies and strengthen Oman’s ICT infrastructure in line with the country’s 2040 strategy. By working with leading international tech firms, Omantel is focused on accelerating Oman’s digital transformation, ensuring countrywide access to top-tier digital solutions.

Omantel has long been a key player in Oman’s telecommunications landscape, leveraging its expertise in digital technology and communications to deliver innovative, cross-sector solutions such as AI, cloud computing, smart technologies, and cybersecurity.

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YouTube Rolls Out Supervised Children’s Accounts Across MENA

An industry-first feed timer lets parents cap Shorts scrolling. Access can also be switched off entirely ahead of exam season.

Published

11 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Dana Saadeh

YouTube

YouTube has launched supervised kid accounts across the Middle East and North Africa, giving parents a way to hand their children the main YouTube app without handing over all of it. Announced in Dubai on July 2, the accounts are built directly into the platform rather than the standalone YouTube Kids app, and are aimed at families who feel a child has outgrown the curated library but isn’t ready for the open feed.

Parents can choose from three content settings, each broadly aligned with international content ratings. Explore covers educational videos, tutorials, arts and crafts, and dance. Explore More adds gaming and live streams. Most of YouTube opens up almost everything except videos rated 18+ or deemed inappropriate for supervised accounts.

The standout tool is an industry-first Shorts feed timer, which lets parents set daily limits on short-form scrolling. Set it to zero and Shorts disappears altogether – a lever YouTube suggests parents might pull ahead of exam season. Other protections are on by default for all users under 18: “Take a Break” and “Bedtime” reminders, no personalized ad targeting, autoplay switched off, and no ability to upload videos or write comments. The accounts are optional, and parents can end supervision at any time.

The kid accounts join supervised teen accounts already available across the region, which notify parents by email when a teenager uploads a video or starts a live stream.

“YouTube has been a huge part of families’ lives across this region for over 20 years,” said Javid Aslanov, head of YouTube Middle East and North Africa, citing Kantar research showing 95% of viewers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE agree YouTube has top content in education and learning.

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“It’s essential that we protect young people in – not from – the digital world,” added Garth Graham, YouTube’s head of health.

The new settings are rolling out gradually across the MENA, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and Iraq. The latest features can be set up through Family Center in the YouTube app or via Google Family Link.