Amazon.com has limited LGBT-related search results in the United Arab Emirates on its website (UAE).
The company made the action after allegedly receiving pressure from Gulf state authorities.
In the UAE, same-sex sexual relations are prohibited. Supporting LGBT rights could potentially be considered an offense.
The news arrives as the month of Pride, which is dedicated to celebrating LGBT people worldwide, comes to an end.
A spokeswoman for Amazon told, “As a company, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we think that the rights of LGBTQ+ people must be safeguarded.”
We must also comply with the local laws and regulations of the countries in which we operate, as Amazon has stores around the world,” they added.
According to the New York Times, which was the first to disclose the issue, the corporation decided to restrict the searches after being threatened with sanctions by the UAE government.
The Kuwaiti foreign ministry announced earlier this month that it had summoned a senior US diplomat in response to tweets from the American embassy promoting LGBT rights.
For Pride month, US officials displayed a rainbow flag and a message of support from Vice President Joe Biden.
Officials from Kuwait condemned the embassy for “promoting homosexuality” and ordered that it never happen again.
In Kuwait, LGBT rights are extremely restricted, and homosexuality among men is prohibited.
Also this month, Saudi Arabian officials confiscated rainbow-colored toys and children’s clothing, which they allege promote homosexuality, according to state television.
A report from Al-Ekhbariya depicted officers from the Saudi Arabian trade ministry removing a variety of merchandise from Riyadh stores.
Included were hair clips, pop-its, T-shirts, caps, and pencil cases.
