Netflix cut titles in Turkey and Singapore last year due to government demands

3:27 PM PDT 03/30/2021

by

Alex weprin

The streamer deleted two titles in Singapore on drug use, and in Turkey, an episode of “Designated Survivor” and the controversial French film “Cuties”.

Singapore has become a thorn alongside Netflix when it comes to demanding that video content be removed from the streaming service.

According to Netflix’s annual social and environmental governance report for 2020, Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority ordered the streamer to cut two programs with drug-related themes: Cooked with cannabis, in which chefs compete to create edibles infused with marijuana, and the movie Have A Good Trip: Psychedelic Adventures, in which celebrities recount their experiences of using hallucinogenic drugs.

Singapore has some of the strictest drug laws in the world, and that extends to their content monitoring. In fact, of the 13 titles Netflix has removed due to government requests since its launch, 7 are from Singapore, mostly at drug scenes.

Netflix also revealed that the Turkish government demanded the removal of two titles last year: The Controversial French Film Cute, and an episode of season 2 of the drama Designated survivor.

the Designated survivor In the episode, the Turkish president demanded the extradition of a Turkish opposition leader. Although it was a work of fiction, it had some similarities to the actual dispute between the Turkish government and cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and is wanted in Turkey for what he claims to be his role. in a failed coup attempt.

Netflix also chose to cancel its Turkish original series last year. If only after authorities demanded that a gay character be removed from the storyline.

Netflix says it will reveal the titles it removes each year, after leaking the information in last year’s ESG report. Company policy is to comply with local laws regarding content.

The bulk of this year’s ESG report focused on the company’s plan to become carbon neutral by the end of 2022. It plans to do so through a combination of efforts, including using local teams. and electric vehicles, as well as carbon offsets.