UAE: Full list of fines for violations by influencers, content creators

This year, the UAE Media Council announced a flurry of rules to regulate social media content.

By introducing new licences and permits, the authority created a comprehensive framework to reinforce respect for religion, the state, and national values.

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These penalties protect the nation's social harmony, moral fabric, while promoting responsible communication from those that aim to make a living out of it. Here's a breakdown of possible fines that content creators could incur:

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Content-related violations

• Publishing false information or harmful content: Dh5,000 to Dh150,000

• Promoting destructive ideas or insulting youth: Up to Dh100,000

• Inciting criminal behaviour (murder, rape, drug abuse): Up to Dh150,000

• Disrespecting Islamic beliefs or other religions: Up to Dh1 million

• Insulting state symbols or leadership: Up to Dh500,000

• Undermining national unity or foreign relations: Up to Dh250,000

• Disrespecting the ruling system, national symbols, or state institutions: Dh50,000 to Dh500,000 fine

• Disrespecting the state’s domestic or international policies: Dh50,000 to Dh500,000 fine

• Publishing content that harms foreign relations or undermines national unity/social cohesion: Up to Dh250,000 fine

• The new law also includes provisions that protect media personnel and influencers while regulating their activities to ensure transparency and accountability in the digital and traditional media space.

• Defamation, libel will carry a fine up to Dh20,000, and slander carries a fine of up to Dh20,000; along with a jail term

Licensing-related violations

• Operating media activities without a licence:

  First offence: Dh10,000

  Repeated offence: Dh40,000

• Practicing additional media activity without approval:

  First offence: Dh5,000

  Repeated offence: Dh16,000

• Failure to renew licence within 30 days: Dh150/day, capped at Dh3,000

• Selling on social media without a trade licence may lead to fines of up to Dh500,000, confiscation of goods, and even imprisonment.

Meher Dhanjal

meher@khaleejtimes.com

Meher Dhanjal is a Digital Journalist who breaks news first and breathes second. She loves chasing page views and finding stories that tug at readers’ heartstrings.