A wave of arrests in the United Arab Emirates is putting tourists, workers, and influencers on notice as authorities crack down on social media posts tied to the Iran war. Advocacy group Detained in Dubai says at least 21 people are now facing charges under the country’s cybercrime laws after sharing or even possessing digital content connected to Iranian missile and drone attacks. The UAE has banned the recording or distribution of images that show missile impacts, interceptions, or defense activity while tensions in the region continue to escalate.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai and Due Process International, warned that even small online actions could lead to detention. She wrote on social media that “even minor posts, reshares, commentary, photos, and opinions can lead to detention in the UAE, even if it was made outside the UAE.”
One case involved a 60-year-old British tourist who recorded a video connected to the attacks. Stirling said he deleted the clip immediately after authorities asked him to remove it. However, he was still charged under cybercrime laws.
Another situation played out differently. Stirling said an influencer whose video pulled 300,000 views was asked to delete the content and post a correction instead of facing arrest.
“Celebrities have long been afforded protected status in the UAE,” Stirling said.
Authorities also detained a Filipina domestic worker near the Burj Al Arab after officers reportedly checked her phone and found a photo she had taken while waiting for work.
Meanwhile, Stirling said a Vietnamese sailor was taken into custody in Fujairah after allegedly sharing footage of missile activity he recorded outside UAE territory.
The detentions come while the UAE faces retaliatory attacks from Iran following a U.S. and Israeli military campaign launched in late February.
