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- "Build Safe Digital Habits at Home"; Problems for BCG in Saudi; Hormuz Toll Fees?
"Build Safe Digital Habits at Home"; Problems for BCG in Saudi; Hormuz Toll Fees?
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Saturday, June 20, 2026
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The future of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains uncertain after US Vice President JD Vance sidestepped questions about whether Iran could eventually charge transit fees as broader negotiations get underway. In Saudi Arabia, Boston Consulting Group is facing the prospect of losing hundreds of millions of dollars as the Public Investment Fund scales back spending on external advisers and reassesses major projects. Meanwhile, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky told us that parents should use the UAE’s upcoming social media age restrictions to strengthen digital safety habits, warning that parental engagement and digital literacy remain the best defence against online risks facing children.
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BCG To Lose Hundreds Of Millions As Public Investment Fund Pulls Back On Consultants
What Is It About?
American Boston Consulting Group is facing a sharp revenue hit as the Public Investment Fund reduces its reliance on external advisers. People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg, the pullback could cost BCG hundreds of millions of dollars, after years in which it dominated advisory work tied to Saudi megaprojects. Other firms, including McKinsey & Company and Strategy&, have also been affected, but BCG is seen as the most exposed.
Why It Matters?
The shift marks a turning point in Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation agenda, which previously drove a surge in consulting demand across Vision 2030 projects. As fiscal pressures and widening deficits push Riyadh to prioritise spending, reliance on global advisers is being reassessed. This directly hits firms embedded in large-scale initiatives such as Neom and other giga-projects, which have been key revenue engines for global consultancies in the region.
What’s Next?
While the slowdown continues, consultants are not being fully shut out. Select advisory work remains active, particularly on project reviews and restructuring of major developments. However, firms are expected to compete more aggressively for reduced work and expand exposure to the private sector in the Gulf. The broader trajectory points to a leaner, more selective Saudi consulting market, rather than the rapid expansion seen over the past decade.
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Exclusive: UAE Parents Should Focus On Digital Safety Habits, Not Just Social Media Bans, says Kaspersky
What Is It About?
Parents should use the UAE's upcoming social media age restrictions as an opportunity to build healthier digital habits rather than relying solely on bans, Maher Yamout, Lead Security Researcher for Middle East, Turkiye and Africa at Kaspersky told Smashi Business. Maher said ongoing conversations about online behaviour, combined with parental controls and screen-time management tools, remain the most effective way to protect children online.
Why It Matters?
The advice comes as young people in the UAE spend increasing amounts of time on social media platforms. Kaspersky's 2026 research found communication-related searches accounted for 19% of all searches made by children, with Instagram and TikTok among the most popular platforms. Greater engagement exposes children to cyberbullying, scams, privacy risks, misinformation and social engineering attacks designed to steal personal information, per Maher.
What’s Next?
As policymakers implement new age-verification requirements, cybersecurity concerns are also emerging around the collection of sensitive personal data. Kaspersky warned that identity-related information remains a prime target for cybercriminals and said age-verification systems should follow data-minimisation principles to limit risks from potential breaches. Maher added that parental involvement and digital literacy will remain essential, regardless of how the new rules are enforced.
US Sidesteps Questions On Future Of Hormuz Toll Fees
What Is It About?
US Vice President JD Vance avoided directly addressing whether Iran could eventually impose fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, following a US-Iran memorandum of understanding guaranteeing 60 days of toll-free passage. The deal also outlines plans for Iran and Oman, alongside other Gulf states, to discuss a long-term maritime framework for the strategic chokepoint, a critical route for global oil and shipping flows.
Why It Matters?
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, and any form of tolling or charges could reshape shipping economics and trigger legal and geopolitical disputes. Shipowners, oil producers and Gulf allies argue such fees would violate international maritime norms and set a precedent for other waterways. The issue has become a key concern as the region transitions from conflict risk toward negotiated maritime governance.
What’s Next?
The US says upcoming negotiations will focus primarily on Iran’s nuclear program, but the Strait of Hormuz framework will run in parallel, with Oman and Gulf states expected to play a central role. Washington has signalled opposition to any toll regime while leaving room for alternative “service charges” models to be debated. Industry groups are pushing for a permanent guarantee of unrestricted, toll-free passage.
Smashi Business Exclusive: Al Haboob Racing Founders On Turning Camel Racing Into A Global Franchise Model
Ahmed Al Haboob and Safwan Modir, founders of Al Haboob Racing, spoke on Smashi Business about building the world’s first professional camel racing team in Saudi Arabia. They explained how they are transforming a traditional, individual sport into a structured, franchise-style model inspired by Formula 1, with teams, sponsorships and long-term commercial value.
The founders discussed leaving corporate careers during the pandemic to pursue entrepreneurship in a “virgin” sports market, despite high operational risks tied to livestock performance. They also highlighted media ventures like their Netflix series Camel Quest, partnerships including Paul Pogba, and their vision to modernize the sport using data and technology.
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