A Filipina worker and a British tourist are among those
Charges include at least a year in prison and a fine of £20,400, with deportation for foreigners; more serious cases can result in two years and higher fines. GrokAI

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have arrested more than 80 people across Dubai and Abu Dhabi for filming, sharing, or commenting on social media content linked to Iranian missile and drone strikes on the country.

Attorney-General Hamad Al Shamsi ordered the arrest of 35 individuals from nine countries and referred them for expedited trial. Separately, Abu Dhabi Police confirmed the detention of 45 people for filming military-related events and posting them online.

But here's what most people will miss. Under the UAE's cybercrime laws, you don't have to be the person who originally posted the content. Anyone who reshares, reposts, or even comments on war-related material can face criminal charges.

'The person who originally posts content can be charged, but so can anyone who reshares, reposts, or comments on it,' said Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International. 'One video can quickly lead to dozens of people facing criminal charges.'

Three Types of Offences, One Outcome

The 35 defendants fall into three broad categories, according to the state news agency WAM.

  • Group 1 (Authentic but Misleading): These individuals filmed and circulated authentic footage of missiles passing through UAE airspace or being intercepted by air defenses. Authorities stated this group added commentary or sound effects intended to exaggerate the threat and incite public panic.
  • Group 2 (AI-Generated & Fabricated): This group published content created using AI or recirculated old footage from other countries, falsely claiming it depicted current explosions or fires within the UAE. Some of these videos included synthetic scenes of strikes on prominent landmarks to appear authentic.
  • Group 3 (Hostile Propaganda): A third group was identified for posting content that glorified a hostile state (linked to the ongoing regional conflict with Iran) and its military actions, portraying them as achievements.

Penalties Hit Foreign Workers Hardest

The charges carry a minimum one-year prison sentence and a fine of at least Dh100,000 (£20,400/$27,300). Foreign nationals face deportation on top of that. In more serious cases involving threats to state security, penalties can rise to two years and fines of Dh200,000 (£40,900/$54,500).

The arrested individuals come from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Nepal, Bangladesh, Egypt, Cameroon, and Iran. Of the 35 charged by the Attorney-General, 19 are Indian nationals.

That detail matters. Over 88% of the UAE's 11.5 million residents are expatriates. Indians alone account for roughly 4.1 million people, followed by Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and Filipinos. These are the communities now bearing the brunt of the crackdown.

A British Tourist, a Filipina Maid, a Vietnamese Sailor

The arrests aren't limited to people posting propaganda. Stirling described cases that show how broad the net has been cast. A 60-year-old British tourist filmed a missile passing overhead and deleted the footage immediately when police asked. He was still charged. The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is in contact with local authorities over his detention.

A Filipina domestic worker was detained near the Burj Al Arab after taking a photo while waiting for work. A Vietnamese sailor was taken off a cargo vessel in Fujairah after sharing a video of missile activity he filmed outside UAE territory.

An Indian university student in Dubai was arrested for sending a clip to his family WhatsApp group. He remains in custody.

'Foreigners need to understand that what may seem like normal social media behaviour elsewhere can lead to arrest in the UAE,' Stirling warned.

A Pattern Across the Gulf

The UAE isn't acting alone. Qatar has detained hundreds of people for filming Iranian strikes. Bahrain arrested six for posting content that authorities said glorified hostile acts. Kuwait charged multiple people after a video surfaced mocking the country's response to the crisis.

For the millions of expats living and working across the Gulf, the message is urgent. A single retweet, a WhatsApp forward, or even a comment on a video already circulating online could mean prison, a fine running into tens of thousands of pounds, and a one-way ticket home.

'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,' Stirling said.

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