The UAE has warned residents against spreading rumors and misinformation on social media platforms amid escalating conflicts between Iran, the United States, Israel and regional tensions.Authorities said they have seen a surge in the circulation of fake news, fabricated videos and misleading images related to ongoing military confrontations and other developments in the region.
Official warning
UAE Attorney General Hamid Saif Al Shamsi warned against taking, publishing or disseminating images and videos of accident scenes or damage caused by falling projectiles or debris.It is circulated on the Internet in an attempt to aggravate social anxiety and confusion, affect national stability, and raise questions about the current situation. Many of these campaigns re-release old footage of accidents and fires that occurred in Gulf countries years ago and present them as recent events in the UAE, according to security sources and experts. Additionally, manipulated videos created using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology are being circulated with the aim of shaping public opinion and spreading hostile agendas.Shamsi assured that state agencies responsible for public security are carrying out their duties efficiently to protect society, and that daily life across the country continues to proceed normally and that necessary measures are being taken to deal with any developments. He also stressed that incidents of this nature are handled by competent authorities with precise security and defense procedures and that sharing videos or images online could undermine authorities’ response efforts. Therefore, sharing such fabricated content or spreading misleading information is a criminal offense and should be punished by law. Shamsi stressed that prosecutors will take firm legal action against violators.
severe legal penalties
Legal experts say spreading rumors or unverified information in the UAE is a criminal offense under the country’s Cybercrime and Rumors Law. Article 52 of the law stipulates that anyone who uses the Internet to publish or reprint false news, misleading reports or malicious rumors that contradicts officially announced information shall be punished with up to one year in prison and a fine of Dh100,000. The same article increases the penalty to at least two years in prison and a fine of Dh200,000 if such information is disseminated to incite public opinion, spread panic, harm public security or the national economy.
Verification is a civil liability
“In times of crisis, relying on official sources and professional media organizations remains the safest way to understand events,” social media activist Ibrahim Al Thehli told Gulf News.He added that publishing information online is both an individual and a social responsibility, and that inaccurate information could mislead others and exacerbate public anxiety. He pointed out that the rapid spread of news does not necessarily mean it is credible, and verifying the date, context and original source of images and videos can help people avoid being manipulated.
