On August 26, 2025, the National Media Office of the United Arab Emirates referred to a group of social media users for federal public prosecution to violate media content standards. This is an important enforcement step under the country’s extended digital and media regulatory framework. This step comes between inappropriate online behavior, misinformation, defamation and targeting moral violations on digital platforms.
Social media users referral for public prosecution
The National Media Office (NMO) on August 26, 2025 confirmed that a group of social media users had been sent for federal public prosecution for violation of media material rules. Violations were detected through continuous monitoring works of the office. According to officials, the NMO monitoring team operates 24/7 to correctly detect the violation, informs users of their violations, and urge to comply with the legal consequences. NMO emphasized that these legal tasks aim to maintain a responsible digital media space and protect the society from harmful, misleading or non-building materials. This reiterated its calls for all users to ensure that their social media conduct reflects UAE’s main media values ​​and morality. In March 2025, NMO issued a public statement, which urged social media users in the United Arab Emirates to align their online activity with national values, including honor, tolerance and co -existence. The statement said that NMO will pursue legal action against any violations of these principles, according to the country’s legal provisions to maintain a safe and balanced digital environment, in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Laws controlling social media conduct and digital crimes
Social media users in the UAE are subject to strict rules under the federal decree law number 34 of 2021, which was revised in 2024. The law made online the dissemination of defamation, insult and online or misleading information. Violations can lead to a fine ranging from 250,000 to AED 500,000 ($ 68,070 to $ 136,140) from violations. The law defines defamation, including both the complaint (written) and slander (oral), including a prison of up to 2 years for a complaint and a punishment of up to 1 year for condemnation. Repeat or increased offenses may result in an increase in fine or further legal consequences. Various Emirates officials including Sharjah and Dubai have consistently warned that online communication, written posts, comments, answers, audio, video, live material and even all forms of private messages are subject to investigation and can result in legal accountability. They emphasize that digital content, regardless of format or platform, is detectable and can be used as legal evidence. In particular, the legal responsibility extends beyond the original poster: those who defam, share, or even a reply to defamation or harmful material can be held accountable under the UAE law. Civil claims for damage can occur with criminal allegations, especially in cases associated with reputed losses.
Enforcement pattern and case examples
In recent years, UAE officials have increased enforcement of cyber crime and defamation laws. Many real -world cases underline the severity of the legal structure:
- A woman faced legal punishment after posting a hospital, criticizing a hospital.
- A person was ordered to pay 70,000 ($ 19,060) in loss for defamation comments made against a business.
These examples highlight that individual complaints or emotional reactions shared online can take legal results. Law enforcement agencies emphasize respectable, legitimate engagement in digital locations and discourage personal attacks or use of unfair language. Residents and visitors are encouraged to use official complaint channels rather than resorting to social media criticism. Violation of existing media rules can result in administrative punishment up to 1 million, or in case of media institutions, from the possible closure of the outlet. Senior officials have reiterated that all users work as representatives of the Digital image of the UAE and therefore expected to operate themselves in a way that reflects national values.
Media Law Implementation and Penalty
On May 29, 2025, the UAE implemented the 2023 Federal Decree-Lo number 55, introducing a new legal framework controlling all the media forms. The enforcement began at the end of July 2025, as under the same regulatory investigation, social media efficators, content creators, podcasters and traditional media outlets were brought. The law addresses several categories of violations with this fine and restrictions:
- Religious insults: any material (lesson, video, or audio) that insults
Islam Or any recognized religion can result in fine between AED 250,000 and AED 1 million ($ 68,075–272,300). - Dissemination of misunderstandings: Sharing unaffected or misleading materials can first impose an AED 5,000 ($ 1,360) penalty for crime, an AED can increase to up to 10,000 for repeat violations.
- Ethical violations: Posts that dissolve the UAE public decency codes, such as sexually desired materials or abusive language, AED, AED can cause a fine of 100,000 or more ($ 27,230+).
- Insulting state institutions: An insult to national unity, symbols, or leadership, even subtle, can be fined 50,000-500,000 ($ 13,615–136,150).
- Media events unlicensed: hosting public media activities without prior approval, such as book launch or screening, AED can lead to punishment between 40,000 ($ 10,890) and AED 200,000 ($ 54,460).
Reaching the AED 2 million ($ 544,600), repeating violations can double the fine. The UAE Media Council has the right to suspend licenses up to 6 months or permanent media institutions or pages that continuously violate the law. Serious violations can also trigger criminal proceedings and imprisonment.
Material monitoring and compliance expectations
By August 2025, the authorities have intensified the monitoring of real -time content on the platform, which has emphasized verification:
- Public-presence of a valid media license for the creators
- GiveaWays or proper disclosure of public participation
- Prevention of sensitive subjects without factual verification
Many creators have already received formal warnings for violations such as being engaged in commercial publicity without lack of media license or transparency. The current enforcement landscape leaves very little space for ignorance or non-non-compliance. Officials have made it clear: whether you are a casual user, influential, journalist, or podcaster, it is mandatory to follow the UAE media law. The purpose of the legal framework is to ensure accountability, protect the integrity of public discourse, and promote the environment contained in mutual respect, cultural sensitivity and legitimate expression.
