Detained in Dubai has announced that 21 people have been charged together under the UAE's cybercrime laws. Its CEO warns even sharing or commenting on circulating videos or news could lead to jail, fines and deportation.
21 people have now been charged together under the UAE’s cybercrime laws in connection with videos and social media posts relating to the recent missile strikes, according to Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai.
Among those charged is a 60 year old British man in Dubai, whose case has already attracted international attention. Stirling confirmed that the man has stated he deleted the video from his phone immediately when asked and had no intention of doing anything wrong, but has nonetheless become caught up in the wider group of charges.
According to the official case summary, those accused are alleged to have used an information network or information technology tool to broadcast, publish, republish or circulate false news, rumours or provocative propaganda that may incite public opinion or disturb public security.
“The charges sound extremely vague but serious on paper. In reality, the alleged conduct could be something as simple as sharing or commenting on a video that is already circulating online,” said Stirling. “Under UAE cybercrime laws, the person who originally posts content can be charged, but so can anyone who reshapes, reposts or comments on it. One video can quickly lead to dozens of people facing criminal charges.”
Penalties in such cases can include up to two years in prison, fines ranging from AED 20,000 to AED 200,000, or both, and foreign nationals will also face deportation.
Stirling warned that the risk is compounded because multiple counts can be applied, meaning a person who reposts several clips or articles could theoretically face cumulative charges and multiple sentences, even where the actions were entirely innocent.
“There are countless images, videos and news reports circulating online about the conflict. People understandably assume that if something is already widely shared or published by media outlets, it must be acceptable to comment on or repost it. In the UAE, that assumption can be extremely dangerous,” she said.
Stirling noted that journalists have travelled to Dubai specifically to film missile interceptions, sending footage to editors abroad who then publish it from outside the country. “But once that material appears online, residents and visitors inside the UAE who share or comment on it could suddenly find themselves accused of spreading rumours or damaging public security.”
Radha Stirling has long warned about the dangers of the UAE's broad and vague Cybercrime laws.
She said authorities are highly sensitive during the current regional tensions, with some suspects reportedly questioned after simply recording or temporarily filming missile interceptions.
Foreigners need to understand that what may seem like normal social media behaviour elsewhere can lead to arrest in the UAE,” Stirling said. “In some circumstances people can find themselves treated as national security suspects before the facts are even clarified. That can mean being taken to specialised CID facilities for interrogation and held for extended periods in facilities known for human rights abuses and torture. In times of regional tension, authorities can become hypersensitive, and innocent mistakes can quickly escalate into extremely serious and dangerous situations for foreigners.”
Stirling also pointed to similar enforcement across the Gulf, noting that Qatar has already charged more than 200 people under comparable laws during the current regional tensions.
“If governments begin arresting expatriates for sharing or discussing news during a conflict, it risks undermining the image they have tried to build as safe, modern international hubs. It creates fear among residents and visitors who feel they could face jail simply for sharing a news article or video.”
Miss Raphaella Stirling, a Crisis Manager at Detained in Dubai said they are continuing to monitor the cases and working to establish the full details of the allegations and the nationalities of the other individuals charged. “The family is extremely worried. It's a natural reflex to photograph your surroundings but authorities are hypersensitive and the real danger may not be Iran's missiles overhead but the Emirati authorities' react to what people post online”.
