Anti gay emoji

Indonesia wants social networking sites to remove any emojis representing same-sex couples, it's reported. One popular messaging app, Line, has already droppedexternal all LGBT-themed emojis, after saying it had received complaints from users. Now the Indonesian government is asking major players like Facebook and WhatsApp to follow suit and remove the icons for users within the country, the Republika newspaper reportsexternal.

Because we have our own rules, like religious values and norms, which they must respect," information ministry spokesman Ismail Cawidu is quoted as saying. Homosexuality is legal in Indonesia, but prevailing conservative attitudes in the Muslim-majority country make open discussion of sexuality controversial.

Mr Cawidu did not specify what would happen if companies refused to remove the emojis. But one human rights group says any such censorship will promote intolerance.

Apple Under Investigation in Russia for Gay Emojis

In January, Indonesia's higher education minister, Muhammad Nasir, said gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people should be barredexternal from university campuses if they engage in "public displays of affection". Next story: Advice for Germans on coexisting with wolves. Use NewsfromElsewhere to stay up-to-date with our reports via Twitterexternal.

Image source, WhatsApp. By News from Elsewhere Next story: Advice for Germans on coexisting with wolves Use NewsfromElsewhere to stay up-to-date with our reports via Twitterexternal.