The UAE has urged residents to verify messages before forwarding them on WhatsApp and other platforms, warning that even harmless-seeming sharing can spread false or misleading content.
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) issued the advisory, Khaleej Times reported.
What warning signs indicate a fake message?
The TDRA advised residents to check messages for suspicious website links, spelling errors and unusual formatting. These signs often indicate the content is fabricated or deceptive rather than genuine.
Spotting them early can stop false information before it spreads further.
How should residents verify information before sharing?
Residents should cross-check claims against official government sources and reputable news organizations before forwarding them, the authority said. This applies whether the message is shared with family, friends or wider online groups. Verifying first helps prevent misinformation from circulating within trusted networks.
The advisory comes as UAE authorities continue to highlight the legal risks tied to spreading false or misleading information online. Officials have stressed that responsibility for content does not end with the original sender.
Can forwarding a message make you legally liable in the UAE?
Legal expert Dr Hassan Elhais said forwarding content through WhatsApp, email or social media can count as a separate act of publication under UAE law. This means users may face liability even if they did not create the material themselves. Chat records, screenshots and metadata can all serve as evidence in such cases.
Courts may weigh the consequences of spreading the material rather than focusing only on whether the sender intended harm. "Courts have repeatedly emphasized that the absence of malicious intent does not automatically negate liability," Elhais said. He added that the focus is often on the effect of dissemination rather than the sender's intention.
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