UAE Arrests Over Hundred, Accused of Spreading Misleading Information on Attacks
Amid escalating US-Iran conflicts, the UAE has intensified its crackdown on the improper dissemination of information, arresting 375 people in early April and 45 in mid-March. They are accused of filming local attack footage and spreading misleading information on social media. UAE authorities prohibit the spread of false news or rumors that contradict official sources, with violators facing hefty fines and imprisonment.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 22:14
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 22:31 (17 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 22:52 (48h 21m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Shih Wan-ching, Cairo, April 13) As US-Iran conflicts continue to escalate, the UAE is strictly controlling the improper dissemination of information. In early April, 375 local residents of various nationalities were arrested. The UAE accused citizens of filming photos and videos related to local attacks and tensions, and uploading them to social media. Violators could face fines of over a million New Taiwan Dollars.
Since the US-Iran conflict erupted on February 28, comprehensive media statistics show that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been bombed over a thousand times by missiles and drones from Iran and its proxies, making it the most severely attacked Gulf country.
On February 28, UAE authorities urged the public to exercise caution when reporting local developments, not to share or spread videos and photos of local attacks on social media, and asked residents to comply with laws regarding local media content and information, as well as official directives.
The authorities warned that such actions could incite public opinion and spread rumors.
According to the UAE media "Khaleej Times," UAE police arrested 375 people in early April and 45 in mid-March, all on charges of filming attack scenes and spreading misleading information related to current regional tensions through social media.
In addition, according to the legal aid organization "Detained in Dubai," a British tourist was found by Dubai police in mid-March to have a video of an Iranian missile attack on Dubai on his mobile phone. He was subsequently detained by the police under laws concerning content that "may disturb public safety."
Another foreign flight attendant based in Dubai filmed damaged scenes at the airport after a drone attack and uploaded them to her personal WhatsApp group, asking, "Is this safe?" After being reported, she was prosecuted by the UAE under cybercrime laws.
The report quoted Dubai police as saying, "This may seem like just an ordinary photo or video, but to some, it can reveal important information. Based on the national responsibility to protect these locations, to maintain the safety of our community, please do not film or share incidents or important locations that affect safety."
The UAE is the most severely affected Gulf country in the US-Iran conflict, and due to its residents coming from many countries around the world, the UAE government strictly controls security issues within its borders. The UAE National Media Authority (UAENMA) issued a notice warning local residents that spreading rumors or unverified information in the UAE is illegal and will be subject to legal sanctions.
According to UAE law, anyone who uses the internet in the UAE to publish, share, or spread false news, rumors, or misleading information that contradicts official sources may face at least one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 dirhams (approximately NT$865,700).
If false news or rumors are intended to incite public opinion against national authorities, or occur during a crisis or disaster, violators can be sentenced to at least two years in prison and fined 200,000 dirhams. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150413
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(Central News Agency reporter Shih Wan-ching, Cairo, April 13) As US-Iran conflicts continue to escalate, the UAE is strictly controlling the improper dissemination of information. In early April, 375 local residents of various nationalities were arrested. The UAE accused citizens of filming photos and videos related to local attacks and tensions, and uploading them to social media. Violators could face fines of over a million New Taiwan Dollars.
Since the US-Iran conflict erupted on February 28, comprehensive media statistics show that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been bombed over a thousand times by missiles and drones from Iran and its proxies, making it the most severely attacked Gulf country.
On February 28, UAE authorities urged the public to exercise caution when reporting local developments, not to share or spread videos and photos of local attacks on social media, and asked residents to comply with laws regarding local media content and information, as well as official directives.
The authorities warned that such actions could incite public opinion and spread rumors.
According to the UAE media "Khaleej Times," UAE police arrested 375 people in early April and 45 in mid-March, all on charges of filming attack scenes and spreading misleading information related to current regional tensions through social media.
In addition, according to the legal aid organization "Detained in Dubai," a British tourist was found by Dubai police in mid-March to have a video of an Iranian missile attack on Dubai on his mobile phone. He was subsequently detained by the police under laws concerning content that "may disturb public safety."
Another foreign flight attendant based in Dubai filmed damaged scenes at the airport after a drone attack and uploaded them to her personal WhatsApp group, asking, "Is this safe?" After being reported, she was prosecuted by the UAE under cybercrime laws.
The report quoted Dubai police as saying, "This may seem like just an ordinary photo or video, but to some, it can reveal important information. Based on the national responsibility to protect these locations, to maintain the safety of our community, please do not film or share incidents or important locations that affect safety."
The UAE is the most severely affected Gulf country in the US-Iran conflict, and due to its residents coming from many countries around the world, the UAE government strictly controls security issues within its borders. The UAE National Media Authority (UAENMA) issued a notice warning local residents that spreading rumors or unverified information in the UAE is illegal and will be subject to legal sanctions.
According to UAE law, anyone who uses the internet in the UAE to publish, share, or spread false news, rumors, or misleading information that contradicts official sources may face at least one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 dirhams (approximately NT$865,700).
If false news or rumors are intended to incite public opinion against national authorities, or occur during a crisis or disaster, violators can be sentenced to at least two years in prison and fined 200,000 dirhams. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150413
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
FAQ
How many people were arrested in the UAE?
Over a hundred people were arrested, including 375 in early April and 45 in mid-March.
What were the arrested individuals accused of?
They were accused of filming local attack footage and spreading misleading information related to tensions on social media.