- UAE arrests 19 Indians for spreading fake war content online
- UAE warns strict action against social media misinformation
Hyderabad, March 16: Authorities in United Arab Emirates arrested 35 people in Dubai for spreading misleading information and fake content on social media during the ongoing war in West Asia. Among those arrested are 19 Indian citizens. Officials said the action was taken after investigators found that the accused circulated false and alarming content online.
According to UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, the accused created three separate teams and attempted to spread panic within the community. Authorities said the individuals used different tactics to create confusion and fear through social media platforms. The government also made it clear that it will not tolerate actions that threaten national security or public order.
Officials explained that the first group consisted of ten people. Five of them were Indians. Investigators said the group added frightening sound effects to old or unrelated videos of missiles flying through the country’s airspace. As a result, the edited clips created the false impression that the country was under attack.
Meanwhile, a second group included seven people, including five Indians. Authorities said this group used artificial intelligence technology to create fake videos showing explosions, fires, and missile attacks. They also manipulated national flags and dates. Because of this, viewers were made to believe that such incidents had taken place in the UAE.
Later, investigators found that a third group of six people also took part in spreading misleading content. This group included five Indians. Officials said they posted messages praising the military operations of enemy countries and also praised their political leadership.
Apart from these groups, two more Indians were also charged with similar offences. Authorities have already detained ten people in the case and have accelerated the investigation. Officials said all accused will be produced before the court for a speedy trial under UAE law.
According to the law in the UAE, those convicted of such offences face a minimum prison term of one year. In addition, authorities may impose a fine of 100,000 dirhams, which is approximately Rs. 22 lakhs.
Investigators also discovered that some of the circulated videos were emotionally disturbing for children. Moreover, some clips falsely claimed that key national military bases had been attacked. Because of these concerns, the UAE government announced stronger monitoring of digital platforms.
Officials stated that strict action will continue against those spreading rumors or false information. The government emphasized that protecting national security remains its top priority. Meanwhile, experts have advised Indians living abroad to respect local laws and avoid sharing unverified information on social media.
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