Abu Dhabi Police Crack Down on Social Media Rumors
Abu Dhabi Police issued a stern warning on April 12, 2025. People who spread false information online could face a Dh500,000 fine and spend up to 5 years in prison. The police stress that sharing unverified information goes against positive citizenship values and social responsibility. These actions can substantially affect society’s safety and security. The public should get news only from reliable and trusted sources. Community members have a crucial role to curb the spread of misleading information. The police have released this vital advisory to remind citizens they must verify all information before sharing it on social media.
Abu Dhabi Police Launches ‘Stop, Verify, Share’ Campaign
Abu Dhabi Police has launched the “Stop, Verify, Share” campaign throughout the emirate to tackle the growing threat of online misinformation. The timing is crucial as digital misinformation continues to threaten community safety and security.
The campaign stresses that people should get information only from trusted media sources. The authorities say spreading unverified content goes against the values of positive citizenship that are the foundations of UAE society.
“The role of community members is very important when it comes to addressing misleading information,” states the official advisory posted by Abu Dhabi Police on April 12. The campaign explains three key steps that make someone a responsible digital citizen:
- Stop – Pause before sharing any unverified information
- Verify – Check the authenticity through reliable sources
- Share – Only distribute accurate, verified content
Brigadier General Musallam Mohammed Al Ameri, Acting Director of Abu Dhabi Police’s Criminal Security Sector, asks the public to stay alert about the information they keep taking and sharing online. He confirms that the police aim to promote public awareness to curb deceptive schemes while strengthening preventive measures.
Rumors and inaccurate information can harm societal safety significantly. The Abu Dhabi Police have made this initiative part of their broader cybercrime prevention strategy to fight phone scams, electronic fraud, and other digital threats.
The UAE has put several legal measures in place to address misinformation that spreads, especially when it threatens national security, public health, or financial stability. The campaign teaches and warns residents that they can’t use ignorance as a legal defense after sharing harmful content online.
The “Stop, Verify, Share” approach shows a proactive stand against rising digital misinformation. Every community member now shares the responsibility to keep information accurate and reliable.
Police Warns Citizens About Hefty Fines for Spreading Rumors
Image Source: Dubai OFW
The UAE‘s legal system enforces strict penalties against people who spread rumors and misinformation online. Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021, which became effective January 2, 2022, mandates imprisonment of at least one year and fines starting from Dh100,000 for publishing false information.
The penalties become harsher during pandemics, crises, emergencies, or disasters. Offenders could face up to two years in prison and fines up to Dh200,000. This shows UAE’s steadfast dedication to public order and its fight against information that could trigger panic or instability.
The Abu Dhabi Police warn that serious cases involving rumors that mock or damage UAE’s reputation could result in five-year prison terms and Dh500,000 in fines. Article 29 of Federal Law number 5 of 2012 specifically outlines punishments for malicious rumor-spreading.
Article 43 of the Cyber Law targets people who use information networks to spread false events or insults. Punishments range from detention to Dh500,000 in fines. Article 52 addresses false information that disrupts public peace.
The law applies to social media platforms and website administrators too. They must quickly remove or block any content that breaks these rules.
The Abu Dhabi Police state these penalties cover several types of prohibited content:
- Spreading fake news, rumors, or misleading information
- Publishing content that ridicules or harms the UAE’s reputation
- Disseminating information that could negatively affect the economy
- Sharing unverified financial data that could cause economic instability
- Forging documents or attributing false statements to others
Courts can partially or fully close offenders’ social media accounts and place them under electronic surveillance. The Abu Dhabi Police warning makes it clear – not knowing these laws won’t serve as a valid defense.
How Can Residents Verify Information Before Sharing?
Abu Dhabi Police’s warning campaign has highlighted several verification tools that residents can use to combat digital misinformation. ‘UAE Verify’ stands out as one of the most trusted platforms. This digital system helps government entities, private organizations, and people check digital documents’ authenticity using blockchain technology.
Residents can follow these key steps to spot false information:
- Use Official Verification Platforms
- ‘UAE Verify’ lets you check documents instantly without needing original hard copies
- VGLNT, an Abu Dhabi AI-powered fact-checking tool, helps you check online content as it happens
- You can search for debunked claims and images using Google’s Fact Check Explorer
- Apply Critical Evaluation Methods
- Make sure the information is current enough for your topic
- Look for evidence that supports any claims
- Check the author’s credentials and expertise
- Figure out if the content educates or persuades
- Consult Official Government Sources
- The UAE Government Portal (u.ae) has all government information in one place
- You can reach the portal at phone (80012) or email (egov@tra.gov.ae)
- U-Ask, the UAE’s AI-powered chatbot, can help you around the clock
- Verify Through Multiple Channels
- The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship offers 14 ways to communicate, including a 24-hour call center (600522222)
- The Arab Network for Fact-Checkers (AFCN) supports over 250 fact-checkers throughout the Arab world
Abu Dhabi Police stress the importance of checking source credibility. They recommend looking at domains (.gov or .edu are usually more trustworthy), author qualifications, website design, and citation practices. You should always cross-check information across multiple sources before sharing.
The Abu Dhabi Police warning alert reminds everyone that proper verification is your best defense against penalties linked to spreading misinformation.
Abu Dhabi Police’s “Stop, Verify, Share” campaign is a vital initiative to combat digital misinformation. The UAE shows its steadfast dedication to social order through Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021. UAE Verify and VGLNT are powerful tools that help residents check facts quickly.
The community plays a critical role to verify information before sharing it online. Spreading unverified content can lead to serious penalties – up to 5 years in jail and fines of Dh500,000. Abu Dhabi Police reminds everyone that good digital citizenship means you must verify information carefully.
Residents should utilize official platforms to verify information. They need to evaluate content thoroughly and check government sources to ensure accuracy. This all-encompassing approach matches UAE’s vision. The country wants to build a responsible digital society where accurate information flows freely while authorities quickly stop harmful content.
