UAE arrests 19 Indians for spreading fake videos amid war-like situation

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities have launched a major legal crackdown on social media users for spreading "misleading and fabricated" content during a period of intense regional tension. On Sunday, Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered the arrest of 35 individuals, including 19 Indian nationals, who are accused of publishing digital content that could undermine national security and public stability. This latest action follows the arrest of an initial 10 defendants on Saturday, with 25 more individuals added to the list by Sunday afternoon as part of a high-priority monitoring operation.

Investigations by the UAE’s electronic surveillance units revealed that the accused were divided into three distinct groups based on their online activities. The first group reportedly shared authentic footage of missile interceptions and air defense systems but added sound effects and commentary designed to incite panic. The second group went further, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create "deepfake" videos of explosions and fires at prominent UAE landmarks or misrepresenting incidents from other countries as happening within the Emirates.

The third group is accused of a more political violation: glorifying a "hostile state" and its military actions while praising its leadership. The Attorney-General emphasized that these acts are not merely social media lapses but criminal offenses that provide "hostile media" with material to distort facts and compromise the country's defensive capabilities. Under the UAE’s strict cybercrime laws, those found guilty of spreading misinformation during times of crisis face expedited trials and severe penalties.

The UAE government has issued a stern warning to all residents and tourists, urging them to verify information through official channels like WAM or the Ministry of Interior before sharing. The authorities stated that exploiting cyberspace to disseminate content that harms public security will be met with "firm legal action."