Instagram removes gay comics after Indonesia warning

Jakarta: Instagram has removed an account that published comic strips depicting the struggles of gay Muslims in Indonesia following a frenzy of moral outrage online in the world’s biggest Muslim nation. The Ministry of Communications said the account under the username Alpatuni was pornographic, which violated the law on information and electronic transactions. It was closed after the communications minister wrote a warning letter to Instagram, the ministry said. The comics depicted gay characters facing discrimination and abuse, which has become increasingly common in Indonesia since 2015. AP

Upskirting becomes criminal offence in UK

Jerusalem: Upskirting, which involves offenders photographing or videoing underneath a person’s clothing without their knowledge, has now become a criminal offence in the UK. Perpetrators of such a crime face up to two years in prison and being placed on the sex offenders’ register after the Voyeurism Bill received Royal Assent from Queen Elizabeth II to become law. “As the Queen agrees to make our Bill into an Act of Parliament, we should see this campaign as not only essential legislative change, but also proof that grassroots campaigning can make a difference,” said Gina Martin, a victim of upskirting, who led the campaign. The new law will come into effect from April. PTI