UAE Arrests 35 Individuals, Including 19 Indians, for Spreading Misinformation Amid Regional Tensions
UAE Takes Action Against Misinformation
On Sunday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the arrest of 35 individuals, among them 19 Indians, for disseminating misleading video content on social media amid escalating tensions related to the Israel-US-Iran conflict. The UAE's official news agency, Wam, reported that these individuals have been referred for a swift trial.
This recent action adds to a previous arrest order issued for 10 individuals, including two Indians, the day before. The Attorney-General, Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shams, stated that this initiative is part of a broader effort to monitor digital platforms and curb the spread of false information that could incite public unrest and threaten stability.
According to the statement, the accused were organized into three distinct groups, each engaging in various activities. The first group, consisting of 10 individuals, shared authentic video clips related to missile interceptions and the resulting impacts, while also creating anxiety-inducing commentary and sound effects. This group included five Indians, one Pakistani, one Nepali, two Filipinos, and one Egyptian.
The second group focused on creating and sharing fabricated content using artificial intelligence, as well as misrepresenting footage from outside the UAE as if it were occurring within the country. This group comprised seven individuals, including five Indians and one each from Nepal and Bangladesh.
The third group, consisting of six individuals, was involved in promoting a hostile state and its military leadership, portraying their aggressive actions as commendable. This group included five Indians and one Pakistani. Additionally, two other Indians face similar charges.
Previously, Attorney-General Shamsi indicated that the public prosecution had begun interrogating the initial 10 defendants and ordered their detention. He emphasized that such actions are criminal offenses under UAE law, punishable by a minimum of one year in prison and fines starting at AED 100,000.
Dr. Al Shamsi noted that these incidents have been manipulated to spread misinformation, deliberately misleading the public and jeopardizing national security and stability. He highlighted that fabricated footage was circulated, falsely depicting explosions and security threats, even exploiting children's emotions in videos to create a sense of danger.