The UAE, facing repeated attacks from Tehran, on Sunday ordered the arrest of 35 individuals, including 19 Indians, for publishing video clips on social media containing misleading and fabricated content using AI amid rising regional tensions due to the Israel-US-Iran war.According to a report by UAE’s official news agency WAM, the accused have been sent for speedy trial.Follow live updates on Iran warThe move comes as Iran’s strikes have kept the UAE’s major cities, Dubai, Sharjah and the capital Abu Dhabi, within its potential target range.Individuals of various nationalities have been accused of making videos of incoming missiles and drones, including their passage and interception, and circulating them online with added commentary and sound effects, which authorities said caused panic and increased public concern.Also read: Major fire breaks out at Dubai International Airport after drone attackThe latest list includes 25 persons of different nationalities, including 17 Indians, who have been booked under various sections. This is separate from the earlier case involving 10 people, including two Indians, who were named on Saturday and ordered to be arrested.
voting
Should social media platforms take strict action against fake news?
According to a statement issued by Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, the action followed intensive monitoring of digital platforms to prevent the spread of fabricated information and artificial content aimed at inciting public disorder and undermining stability.“The investigation and electronic surveillance revealed that the defendants were divided into three groups who committed various acts. These included the publication of genuine clips related to current events, creation of clips using AI and promoting acts of military aggression while glorifying their leadership and military actions,” the statement said.The first group, consisting of 10 accused, published and circulated authentic video clips allegedly showing the passage and interception or resultant impact of missiles in the country’s airspace. They also filmed gatherings of people witnessing these developments and added commentary and sound effects suggesting active aggression, which officials said could cause anxiety and panic among the public.Officials said such footage risks exposing the country’s defensive capabilities and enabling hostile accounts to push misleading stories. The group includes five Indians, one Pakistani, one Nepali, two Filipinos and an Egyptian.Another group shared fabricated visual content generated using AI or re-circulated footage of events outside the UAE falsely claiming to be taking place within the country. The clips depict synthetic scenes of explosions and missile attacks, often including national flags or specific dates to make the false claims appear credible.The group includes seven persons, five Indians and one each from Nepal and Bangladesh.The third group, consisting of six accused, allegedly published material glorifying a hostile state and its political and military leadership, and portraying its regional military aggression as achievements. Officials said the posts praised leaders of that state and promoted propaganda narratives harmful to national interests.Of the six accused in this group, five are Indians, while one is Pakistani.Additionally, two other men, both Indians, are also facing charges of similar offences, the statement said.Earlier on Saturday, a report by the UAE’s official news agency WAM said that the Public Prosecution has started questioning the 10 defendants and ordered their detention.Attorney-General Shamsi said such acts are offenses punishable with imprisonment of at least one year and a minimum fine of AED 100,000.“Such incidents have been used to spread misinformation with the intention of deliberately misleading the public while undermining national security, order and stability,” he said.Shamsi said some of the accused circulated AI-generated footage that falsely suggested explosions, attacks on key sites or large-scale fires with smoke billowing across various parts of the UAE.“Incidents also include exploiting children’s emotions in videos that pose false security threats. Other clips claim to destroy military facilities within the country or attribute incidents to foreign countries at locations in the UAE with the aim of misleading public opinion and spreading anxiety,” he said.