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Netflix delays 'Cuties' film launch in Turkey

FILE PHOTO: A smartphone with the Netflix logo is seen on a keyboard in front of displayed "Streaming service" words in this illustration

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Netflix has delayed the launch of French film "Cuties" in Turkey after broadcasting watchdog (RTUK) ordered it to be removed saying it might lead to potential child exploitation.

"We are considering RTUK’s demand - and in the meantime have delayed the launch of Cuties in Turkey," a Netflix spokesperson said on Monday.

The plot of "Cuties" centres on an 11-year-old Muslim girl who "starts to rebel against her conservative family's traditions when she becomes fascinated with a free-spirited dance crew", according to Netflix.

The movie was due to be released on Sept. 9.

Last week, in its first ruling related to a video-on-demand platform, RTUK judged that the film contained exploitation and abuse and "might lead to potential child exploitation behaviour patterns emerging".

(Reporting by Daren Butler,; Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Dominic Evans and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)