Surveillance fears after Clubhouse app takes Saudi by storm

Despite the risks, many Saudis are participating in free-wheeling discussions on Clubhouse that capture the zeitgeist of a largely young population. — AP

RIYADH: Political reform, racism, transgender rights – the audio app Clubhouse has unleashed unbridled debates about topics deemed dangerously sensitive in Saudi Arabia, but surveillance fears have spooked users in the authoritarian state.

Banned by the censors in China, the invitation-only app is gaining traction in parts of the Gulf, sparking bold conversations in countries known to curb free speech.