ABU DHABI // Etisalat has blocked the popular voice over internet programme Discord yesterday to the frustration of thousands of video gamers.

Players across the country took to Twitter using #discordban to voice their concerns over the move.

Discord is an app that functions as voice and text chat platform for gamers to connect, independent of the games they are playing.

Users said it was better than the competition as it is free and capable of supporting up to 100 people in any given chat room.

<div class=”embedObjects”><blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>We strive to be number 1 in everything except for voice communication… <a href=”https://twitter.com/etisalat”>@etisalat</a> Please reconsider this decision. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/DiscordBan?src=hash”>#DiscordBan</a></p>&mdash; TheOne (@Mus1cM4k3r) <a href=”https://twitter.com/Mus1cM4k3r/status/846742523301298178″>March 28, 2017</a></blockquote></div>

“We strive to be number 1 in everything except for voice communication … @Etisalat Please reconsider this decision. #DiscordBan,” said Twitter user @Mus1cM4k3r.

<div class=”embedObjects”><blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-lang=”en”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>i'm just gonna communicate via carrier pidgeons from now on, thanks a lot <a href=”https://twitter.com/etisalat”>@etisalat</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/discordban?src=hash”>#discordban</a></p>&mdash; ♕ فاطمة المهيري AA87 (@KingAlMagicc) <a href=”https://twitter.com/KingAlMagicc/status/846723406016008197″>March 28, 2017</a></blockquote></div>

“I’m just gonna communicate via carrier pigeons from now on, thanks a lot @Etisalat #discordban” added @kingalmagicc.

In 2015, Etisalat blocked Skype in a move that caused anger among users that use the app to stay in contact with friends and family abroad.

The mobile telecommunications company later reversed the decision.

“The access to Discord application is blocked as per the United Arab Emirates’ Regulatory Framework,” Etisalat said.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority’s policy states that VOIPs must be licensed to be accessible in the country and that those that are not, such as Discord, are therefore illegal and subject to being blocked.

Skype is licensed and therefore not affected by the regulations.

Discord has also served as a communication channel for artists and others into ‘geek’ culture.

nalwasmi@thenational.ae

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