A popular instant messaging app based in Dubai has introduced security features aimed at strengthening privacy for its users.
Oh! Message, which hopes to rival WhatsApp and iMessage, has increased its security to protect users' identities and fully encrypt conversations, which are not stored anywhere on the app's servers.
This week, developers announced new features that include “self-destructing” messages. These will be deleted from both users' accounts after 10 seconds, regardless of whether or not they have been read by the recipient.
Haian Nayouf, co-founder and chief of communications at Oh! Message, told The National that such features attract new users because they feel more secure.
“Users find unprecedented privacy using our app because there are no servers recording their messages for any purposes such as marketing and sales,” Mr Nayouf said.
“Users can now enjoy the fact that their messages disappear from the sender's account after 10 seconds.”
While some global messaging apps already have privacy settings and features that delete messages, Mr Nayouf said most of those apps all store their user's personal data, as well as their conversations on their servers.
“The user's data can be exposed, hacked or used for commercial objectives. That is not privacy,” he said.
The new features also include not being able to take screenshots of conversations, as well as link-sharing to protect users from scammers.
“Criminals who are specialised in conning people by sending links can't use Oh! Message since it does not allow link-sharing,” Mr Nayouf said. “This app is a major solution provider in the field of privacy and safety of conversations.”
Oh! Message was launched in 2021 by Dubai entrepreneurs Haian Nayouf and Mohammed Othman. The app was initially available in English and Arabic. However, the app is now available in over 10 languages, including French, German, Russian, Spanish and Chinese.
The app's end-to-end encrypted messages are limited to 100 characters, while audio messages only allow for 10-second recordings. Oh! Message was also among the first in the market to hide online statuses, a feature that other global apps such as WhatsApp announced only in 2022.
According to Mr Nayouf, the app's security and privacy features — which are mandatory — have been the pull factor to attract and retain users. The app's popularity is rising in countries where privacy and security are paramount, with the majority of users living in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, China and South Korea, as well as France and Germany.
Mr Othman and Mr Nayouf have now implemented a five-step development stage to bolster the privacy and security features to expand the business.
Mr Nayouf added: “We are now in talks with potential investors from the Gulf region, India and China to fund the stages to make our privacy features and security settings even better.”
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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Company name: Nestrom
Started: 2017
Co-founders: Yousef Wadi, Kanaan Manasrah and Shadi Shalabi
Based: Jordan
Sector: Technology
Initial investment: Close to $100,000
Investors: Propeller, 500 Startups, Wamda Capital, Agrimatico, Techstars and some angel investors
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Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
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- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
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Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
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Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
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It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
