The Audio Long Read Money talks: the deep ties between Twitter and Saudi Arabia
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Nov 21, 2025 Explore the intricate ties between Saudi Arabia and Twitter's fate. Discover how Saudi investments reached Silicon Valley to stifle dissent at home. Hear gripping stories of banned accounts and the recruitment of Twitter employees for surveillance. Uncover the controversial financial dealings surrounding Musk's takeover, and the implications of a spy ring embedded within the platform. Delve into allegations of foreign influence and legal battles, raising questions about accountability and national security. A fascinating look at power dynamics in the tech world.
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Saudi Dissidents' Twitter Harms
- Ali Al-Ahmed described his Arabic account being banned while his English account remained, illustrating targeted censorship risks.
- He feared spies had accessed his account, putting dissident contacts in immediate danger.
Satire Led To Long Prison Sentences
- Abdurrahman al-Sadan was abducted after running a satirical Saudi account and later sentenced to 20 years.
- His sister Arij reported limited contact and later uncertainty about his survival.
Saudi Capital Bought Silicon Valley Influence
- Prince Mohammed used oil wealth to buy influence across Silicon Valley, politics, and sports.
- That capital created channels for export of authoritarians' power into tech and culture.
