UAE official flags rise in online bots amid regional tensions

More than 11,000 new social media bots were created in October, raising concerns about coordinated online activity that could worsen relations between countries in the region, a senior UAE media official has said.

Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, chairman of the National Media Authority (NMA), spoke at the UAE Correspondents’ Majlis in Dubai, according to Khaleej Times.

Why is the UAE concerned about social media bots?

Al Hamed said authorities were tracking accounts used to amplify misleading content and provoke tensions. He did not identify the platforms involved or disclose who was operating the accounts. Officials were working with social media companies to identify and remove suspicious accounts, with much of the effort taking place without public announcements.

Al Hamed said authorities did not respond publicly to every false claim because rebuttals could inadvertently increase the reach and visibility of fabricated content. Officials instead assess which claims warrant clarification while continuing to monitor online activity and work with digital platforms. He also highlighted the importance of communication between government officials and journalists in ensuring the public receives accurate information.

What action has the UAE taken against social media accounts?

The authority has previously reported action against accounts spreading misleading material. In May 2026, NMA Secretary-General Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi said 10,000 TikTok accounts had been removed for publishing AI-generated videos and other content that authorities said sought to harm the UAE’s reputation and spread false narratives.

In April, Al Hamed also disclosed that more than 100 social media accounts had been blocked in recent months over content that incited violence during Iranian attacks. He said the accounts were not associated with any single country.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) officials have also discussed regional efforts to tackle online misinformation. At an extraordinary meeting of GCC information ministers in March, Al Hamed proposed joint measures against anonymous accounts and a round-the-clock regional monitoring centre using artificial intelligence to track disinformation.

What are the penalties for spreading false news in the UAE?

The UAE has laws penalising the circulation of false information. Under Article 52 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, offences involving the publication or dissemination of false news and misleading information can carry at least one year in prison and a fine of Dh100,000.

The penalties rise to at least two years in prison and a fine of Dh200,000 when the offence occurs during a crisis, emergency or disaster. The UAE Public Prosecution reiterated in February 2026 that people who share or repost unverified content may also face legal consequences.