UAE Detains 35 Individuals, Including 19 Indians, Over Alleged Circulation of Misleading Online Content Amid Regional Tensions
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have taken legal action against 35 individuals, including 19 Indian nationals, for allegedly disseminating deceptive and inaccurate material on social media during the current period of heightened regional tensions.
The development was confirmed by the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The move followed instructions from the UAE’s Attorney General, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, who ordered that two separate groups of suspects be placed on a fast-track legal process for allegedly publishing misleading videos and posts on digital platforms.
Officials said the first case involved 10 individuals, whose names were released earlier, while a second group of 25 people was later identified. Combined, the two cases involve 35 suspects, among whom are several Indian citizens.
Monitoring of Online Platforms Intensified
Authorities initiated the probe after stepping up surveillance of social media networks during the ongoing regional security crisis.
Officials stated that the monitoring exercise was intended to detect and curb online material that could mislead residents or disrupt the country’s internal stability.
Investigators reported that some of the circulating videos attempted to provoke emotional reactions by featuring children in dramatic scenes that suggested looming security threats.
Authorities said such content had the potential to spread confusion and unnecessary fear among the public.
Drone Incidents Raise Security Concerns
The crackdown comes at a time when the region is experiencing escalating tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran and its regional adversaries.
Earlier this week, oil-loading operations at the strategic port of Port of Fujairah were temporarily halted following what officials described as a suspected Iranian drone strike.
The port handles close to one million barrels per day of Murban crude, accounting for roughly one per cent of global oil consumption.
Meanwhile, operations at Dubai International Airport — typically among the busiest airports in the world — were disrupted for several hours after a drone attack struck a fuel storage installation located nearby.
Thick columns of dark smoke were visible across parts of the skyline before emergency services managed to control the blaze.
Against this volatile backdrop, the government’s decision to act against individuals accused of spreading questionable information has taken on added importance.
Different Types of Questionable Content Identified
According to officials, the suspects allegedly shared several types of posts connected to recent military developments.
In some cases, individuals circulated genuine footage depicting air defence systems intercepting projectiles or showing debris recovered from incident sites.
Although authentic, authorities said the distribution of such material could expose sensitive defence capabilities and potentially cause public alarm.
In other instances, investigators found that videos had been manipulated digitally or generated using artificial intelligence, giving them the appearance of real events even though they were fabricated.
The inquiry also revealed that certain posts falsely attributed incidents from other countries to locations inside the UAE, thereby creating misleading narratives about security events within the country.
Additionally, officials said some individuals circulated posts praising and celebrating a foreign nation involved in the conflict while promoting its political leadership and military actions.
According to the authorities, such content was viewed as supportive of the actions of a hostile state and contrary to the UAE’s national interests.
Legal Consequences Under UAE Law
Public prosecutors confirmed that the accused individuals have been taken into custody while investigations proceed.
Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi emphasised that UAE legislation imposes strict penalties for spreading false information or content that threatens public safety and social stability.
Under the law, individuals found guilty of such offences could face a prison sentence of at least one year, along with a monetary penalty of no less than 100,000 UAE dirhams.
He noted that distributing misleading information during a sensitive security situation could distort public understanding, create unnecessary panic, and potentially provide outside actors with material that might be used to undermine confidence in state institutions.
Authorities Urge Public to Exercise Restraint
Earlier, UAE authorities had already cautioned residents against photographing incident locations or sharing images and videos related to defence responses.
Officials warned that circulating such visuals could inadvertently reveal sensitive operational details or spark unnecessary concern among the population.
The government reiterated that residents should rely only on verified official information and avoid sharing unconfirmed material on social media platforms during the ongoing regional tensions.
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