Dubai Police have issued a stark warning to residents and social media users, reminding them that spreading rumours or sharing false information is a criminal offence punishable by up to two years in prison and a minimum fine of 200,000 dirhams (approximately $54,500). In a statement on Wednesday, authorities urged the public to circulate only content released through official Government of Dubai channels and cautioned that forwarding unverified material, particularly content that could incite panic or fear, would be treated as a legal violation. "Your social media post may seem ordinary to you, but for others it could be intelligence," officials warned, calling for responsible online behaviour.
The renewed warning comes as the United Arab Emirates finds itself in the crossfire of an escalating conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel. Since February 28, Iran has broadened its retaliatory attacks on American targets in the Gulf region, with civilian infrastructure in the UAE including airports and hotels being hit by missiles and drones. Videos widely circulated online have claimed to show drones striking iconic Dubai landmarks like the Burj al-Arab and Burj Khalifa, as well as damage to a terminal at Dubai International Airport. In this tense atmosphere, UAE authorities have emphasized the need to "obtain information solely from official and accredited sources" and warned that "anyone who shares or republishes content from unknown sources may face legal accountability under the country's applicable laws, even if they are not the original creator of the content".
The circulation of misattributed footage has complicated the information landscape. Indian fact-checker Mohammed Zubair identified that a video widely shared by Indian media outlets purporting to show an Iranian drone strike in Dubai actually depicted a strike in Manama, Bahrain, earlier in March. The footage, which showed a drone striking a high-rise building with bystanders recording, matched landmarks including Zaya Tower in the Bahraini capital. Such incidents provide authorities with justification for their crackdown, as they argue that unverified content can "cause confusion and harm societal security and stability".
The UAE is not alone in its approach. Gulf states including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar have issued similar warnings to residents and tourists about publishing visual content of Iranian strikes. Bahrain's Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of two individuals, aged 27 and 37, for "misusing social media platforms" by filming and broadcasting live content of strikes, which authorities said "constituted a legal violation and could harm security as well as provoke public opinion". Kuwait's Ministry of Interior urged residents to refrain from recording the neutralization of aerial threats, warning that non-compliance could entail "legal measures". These coordinated actions reflect a regional approach to maintaining operational security during active hostilities, similar to measures taken by Ukraine in the early days of Russia's invasion when authorities warned citizens not to film or distribute videos that could be used by Moscow to improve its attacks.
Amidst the chaos, a coordinated campaign has emerged on social media platforms, with prominent influencers portraying Dubai as untouched by the conflict. British model and influencer Petra Ecclestone posted: "This is what safety feels like. This is what resilience looks like. This is UAE," adding "Covid. Floods. Missiles. Every time, the same story told differently, the world watching, waiting for Dubai to break. Every time, the same answer. It didn't". Former Apprentice star Luisa Zissman described Dubai as "the safest country in the world," while former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattinson told followers that portrayals of "Dubai being bombed" were "hyperbolic," insisting that any damage was caused by falling debris . German fashion influencer Stefania Guarnieri shared a picture of her family on the beach writing: "Right now, missiles are being intercepted here in Dubai. And yet we feel safe".
Behind the glossy social media posts lies a different reality, according to multiple sources. One influencer, speaking anonymously to the Daily Mail, revealed that "influencers are terrified of speaking out against the Dubai government. They believe it's a huge risk to voice their fears or reveal what's really happening and are worried they could be deported or lose their homes". The source explained that "British citizens can be deported, lose their jobs, or even face arrest for stepping out of line. Influencers and celebrities in particular have been instructed to present a rose-tinted image of Dubai on social media, acting as though everything is normal. They've been strictly warned not to scaremonger on platforms with massive followings". Another visitor recounted that when she attempted to photograph a cratered pavement damaged by a drone or debris, a more seasoned Dubai resident stopped her, warning darkly: "You don't want to rock the boat".
The UAE government has cultivated a substantial influencer community, with an estimated 50,000 influencers based in Dubai, lured not only by tax-free status but also by a coordinated government campaign under the name Creators HQ, which offers generous help with setting up businesses. For the most influential, there is even a renewable 10-year "Golden Visa" for them and their families, provided they say the right thing about Dubai, promoting its luxury lifestyle and above all, its safety. This symbiotic relationship creates powerful incentives for self-censorship, as any deviation from the official narrative could jeopardize not just visas but potentially freedom itself.
The government's information management strategy was evident in the official figures released on Tuesday by Brigadier General Abdulnasir Al-Humaidi, who reported that of 186 ballistic missiles launched, only one landed on UAE territory, with 172 intercepted and destroyed, and 13 falling into the sea . Regarding drones, 57 got through out of 812 launched, with three people killed and 68 others sustaining "minor injuries," though the identities of the deceased have never been released and none of the injured have featured in media coverage. The General described damage to buildings and infrastructure as only "mild".
In the fog of conflict, the line between legitimate security measures and censorship becomes increasingly blurred. While authorities argue that controlling information flow is necessary to prevent panic and protect national security, critics contend that the UAE is using the crisis as cover to silence dissent and enforce a sanitized narrative that prioritizes reputation over reality. As podcasters Richard Osman and Marina Hyde observed on The Rest is Entertainment, the attack on Dubai has "pulled the rug" on the safety claim that the city has carefully cultivated. Marina Hyde noted: "The thing that Dubai has used all of this army of people to say about itself is, in fact, suddenly not the case. It is not a place – currently - of safety. Their schtick has had the rug pulled underneath it. Because what you're saying is that this is a place of great luxury and great safety, and suddenly it's not". With penalties of imprisonment and fines reaching hundreds of thousands of dirhams, the message to residents and influencers is unmistakable: when it comes to information about the Iranian strikes, the price of truth may be higher than anyone is willing to pay.