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Influencers, media firms beware: New UAE law sets fines up to Dh1 million for content violations

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A major new media law has come into force in the UAE, introducing tough penalties and stricter rules for anyone publishing content, from influencers and YouTubers to media companies and publishers.

The updated law, effective from May 29, 2025, is part of the UAE’s ongoing efforts to promote ethical, respectful, and responsible media in line with national values.

What’s the law about? Do’s and don’ts

The new law sets out clear do’s and don’ts for all media content, whether online or in traditional formats like newspapers, magazines, TV or radio. It also introduces new licensing requirements, especially for digital content creators and foreign correspondents.

Violations could now cost you anywhere from Dh5,000 to Dh1 million, depending on the offence, with doubled fines for repeat offences.

Major fines under the new law

Religious and moral offences:

  • Insulting religion or the divine being: Up to Dh1 million
  • Promoting destructive ideologies or violating public morals: Up to Dh100,000
  • Inciting crimes (e.g. rape, drug use): Up to Dh150,000

National interests and public unity:

  • Offending UAE’s policies, leadership or institutions: Dh50,000–Dh500,000
  • Damaging social cohesion or foreign relations: Up to Dh250,000

Operating without a media licence:

  • First offence: Dh10,000
  • Repeating it? Dh40,000
  • Publishing with an expired licence? Starts at Dh10,000, then doubles.

Spreading misinformation:

  • False news or forged documents: From Dh5,000–Dh10,000
  • Illegal book fairs or publishing without a permit: Dh20,000–Dh40,000

Media Content Rules Everyone Must Follow

The UAE Media Council has laid out 20 mandatory content standards. These apply to all media professionals, influencers, publishers, and advertisers. Here’s a snapshot:

Respect religions, national symbols, and UAE’s governance
Avoid hate speech, sectarian content, and incitement to violence
Don’t publish false news, harmful content, or anything that invades privacy
Ads must align with UAE culture and protect children
Content must not harm the economy, spread rumours or glorify hostile groups

 Violation of these standards can result in:

  • Fines up to Dh1 million
  • Temporary or permanent media shutdowns
  • Revocation of licences

Why this matters

The UAE says the law is designed to protect society, preserve public decency, and align media practices with international standards. It also ensures influencers and digital creators are held to the same standards as traditional media outlets.

It’s a clear message: freedom of expression is welcome,  but not at the cost of social harmony, national security, or public morals.

Tips for content creators, publishers, and advertisers:
Review your content strategy and licensing to ensure full compliance. Ignorance of the law won’t protect you from a fine.

What to keep in mind

  • Respect religious and national values
  • Don’t post or publish harmful, false, or divisive content
  • Get the right licence before launching a platform or event
  • Be cautious with content during national or religious occasions
  • Always verify your information before posting

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

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Mosaic opens in Dubai, promising smarter marketing decisions for UAE businesses

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Mosaic, an integrated marketing agency, was officially launched in Dubai recently promising a new, more intentional approach to business growth for companies in the UAE. Led by Agency Director Shubhang Bhattacharya and Head of Digital Prasanna Venkat, Mosaic aims to buck a common market trend: businesses that start strong but struggle to scale.

Bhattacharya and Venkat have spent the last decade in the business setup space in Dubai, launching campaigns that helped countless businesses start. This experience has given them a clear vision for Mosaic. 

“So many businesses, no matter how long they’ve been around, try to handle marketing on their own and miss out on huge opportunities,” says Bhattacharya. “Making the right decisions at the right time is a make-or-break moment for any business. We give businesses the expertise to make marketing a cornerstone of their success, not just an afterthought.”

Mosaic’s philosophy centres on making “better decisions” rather than simply chasing bigger budgets. “We’ve seen too many businesses struggle with direction,” adds Venkat. “At Mosaic, our starting point is always the same: what actually creates value for the client, and how do we get there without overcomplicating it?”

Mosaic isn’t waiting around to make an impact. Since its soft launch in February 2025, the agency has already delivered serious results. That includes the “Employee to Entrepreneur” campaign, which pulled in over 23 million impressions, and the launch of the UAE’s first-ever mobile business setup initiative, the “Startup Wagon.” The team also proved its ability to tap into the culture with a simple, silly reel on the Coldplay concert trend that went on to get over 14 million views on Instagram.

The name “Mosaic” is a core tenet of the agency’s operational philosophy. It represents how the team works: bringing distinct, diverse perspectives together to create a result that is greater than the sum of its parts. 

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Early warning: UAE scientists develop AI model that could protect your phone, TV signal and GPS

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Imagine a solar storm so powerful it could disrupt our GPS, knock out satellite signals, and even cause blackouts. While this may sound like science fiction, it’s a very real threat. But now, thanks to scientists in the UAE, we have a powerful new line of defence.

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have developed a revolutionary AI model that can forecast solar wind speeds up to four days in advance. This groundbreaking system is a significant leap for space science, proving to be 45 per cent more accurate than existing methods.

So, how does it work? Instead of analysing complex data, this AI “reads” high-quality images of the sun captured by NASA satellites. By spotting subtle patterns in these images, it can predict when solar activity will increase, giving us a crucial head start.

This early warning system is vital for protecting the technology we rely on every day. It helps safeguard everything from our satellite TV and phone signals to global navigation systems and power grids.

The development of this technology highlights the UAE’s growing role as a leader in scientific innovation, showing that the next big breakthrough in space and technology might just come from right here in Abu Dhabi.

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Indian expats in UAE, your UPI app just got a major upgrade, no need of separate phone for digital payments

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Big news for the millions of Indians in the UAE: Your UPI app just became a financial powerhouse. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) supercharged daily transaction limits for high-value payments, effective September 15. This is a game-changer for managing your money, from investments to big purchases.

What’s New? The Limits Have Been Boosted

  • Capital Markets & Insurance: You can now make single payments up to Rs5 lakh, with a new daily limit of Rs10 lakh (Rs1 lakh=Dh 4,170).
  • Credit Card Bills: Pay off a single bill up to Rs500,000, with a daily cap of Rs6 lakh.
  • Travel & Loan Repayments: A new daily ceiling of Rs10 lakh makes paying for flights, holidays, and EMIs faster than ever.
  • Jewellery Purchases: A single transaction can now be up to Rs2 lakh, with a Rs6 lakh daily limit.
  • Hospital & Education Fees: The daily cap remains a high Rs1 million, with a per-transaction limit of Rs5 lakh.

Why This Matters for You in the UAE

This update means you can now handle serious financial transactions with the speed and convenience of UPI, without the hassle of cheques or slower bank transfers. Sending money home for investments, paying large insurance premiums, or settling EMIs has never been easier.

A Record-Breaking Era for UPI

These changes come as UPI continues to break records. In August 2025 alone, it processed a staggering 20 billion transactions, a 34% increase year-on-year, with a total value of Rs24.85 trillion. It’s the go-to payment method for millions, and now it’s even more powerful.

Important Security Update

To combat fraud, NPCI is discontinuing the “P2P collect request” feature from October 1. This is a proactive step to protect users from scams, ensuring that only verified merchants can request payments. Your personal transfers (P2P) will remain secure with the existing daily cap of Rs100,000.

The Bottom Line: UPI is no longer just for small, day-to-day payments. It’s a must-have tool for serious financial management, giving you more control and security over your money from the UAE.

No Indian mobile number required 

NRIs in the UAE can now access UPI using their UAE mobile numbers.

Instant, hassle-free payments 

Transfers can be made 24/7 by scanning a QR code or entering a UPI ID/phone number, without needing bank details.

Eligibility

 Users must hold an NRE (Non-Resident External) or NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) account with a participating bank in India.

Registration requirement 

The international number must be linked to the account, with KYC completed.

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