A 60-year-old British tourist is among 20 people charged in the United Arab Emirates under cybercrime laws for filming and sharing material related to Iranian missile attacks on the country. The man, who was visiting Dubai, faces charges under a law prohibiting the sharing of material that could disturb public security.
According to Detained in Dubai, an organisation providing legal assistance in the UAE, police found a video of an Iranian missile strike on the man's phone, despite him apparently deleting it immediately when challenged. The official case summary states that those accused are alleged to have used information networks or technology tools to broadcast, publish, or circulate false news, rumours, or provocative propaganda that may incite public opinion or disturb public security.
Radha Stirling, head of Detained in Dubai, described the charges as 'extremely vague but serious on paper,' noting that the alleged conduct could be as simple as sharing or commenting on a video already circulating online. Under UAE cybercrime laws, anyone who reshapes, reposts, or comments on content can be charged, not just the original poster.
Penalties for such offences can include up to two years in prison, fines ranging from 20,000 AED (£4,000) to 200,000 AED (£40,000), and deportation for foreign nationals. Stirling warned that multiple counts can be applied, meaning a person who reposts several clips could face cumulative charges, even if their actions were innocent.
The case highlights the risks for influencers and journalists in the UAE, where filming and posting are essential to their livelihoods. Despite the law, footage from recent Iranian attacks has been widely shared on social media. Stirling cautioned that residents and visitors who share or comment on material already published by media outlets could find themselves accused of spreading rumours or damaging public security.
