UAE Cybersecurity Council Warns Against Misleading AI-Generated Videos During Regional Crisis

The UAE Cybersecurity Council has issued an urgent public advisory warning residents against AI-generated and digitally manipulated videos spreading on social media amid the current regional situation. The warning, posted by the Council's official account @uaecsc, comes as fabricated footage falsely depicting incidents at UAE airports and other locations circulates widely online.

Dubai Airports separately confirmed that digitally altered videos making false claims about Dubai International Airport (DXB) are actively in circulation, stressing that the content does not reflect the actual situation at any UAE airport.

The Cybersecurity Council warned that AI-generated videos can appear highly realistic and are increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic footage. In a fast-moving regional situation, such content carries a heightened risk of misleading the public, causing unnecessary panic, and undermining the flow of accurate information.

Residents are being urged to verify the authenticity of any video before reacting to or sharing it, and to rely exclusively on official government channels and verified news platforms for updates on the current situation.

Key guidance from the Council: not all online videos reflect reality; AI-generated content can appear entirely convincing; always verify the source before sharing; and follow only official government accounts for accurate information.

UAE Cybercrime Law: Legal Penalties for Sharing Fake Content

The advisory carries a legal dimension that residents should take seriously. Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes imposes strict penalties on anyone found responsible for spreading false information or manipulated digital content.

Sharing unverified footage related to the current regional situation could result in direct legal consequences. Authorities have been clear: circulating fabricated material is a punishable offence, regardless of intent.

This advisory is part of a broader pattern of heightened cybersecurity vigilance in the UAE. Just days before the current regional escalation, the Cybersecurity Council confirmed it had foiled a coordinated wave of AI-enabled cyberattacks on vital national infrastructure, describing them as organized operations reflecting a significant shift in offensive cyber methods.

Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Government Cybersecurity Council, had also previously warned that between 90,000 and 200,000 breach attempts target the UAE every single day, many of them state-sponsored. He noted that conflict-driven discourse and AI-enabled disinformation activity have increased the spread of false narratives across regional digital platforms.

How UAE Residents Can Verify Information Online

For residents following developments, the Council's guidance is straightforward. Only consume updates from the UAE government's official social media accounts, state news agency WAM, and verified publications. Do not share, repost, or react to any video that has not been confirmed by official sources, no matter how realistic it appears.

Anyone who encounters suspicious or potentially fabricated content is encouraged to report it through official channels rather than circulating it further. The Council's position is consistent: public awareness and individual responsibility are the first line of defense against digital misinformation, particularly in rapidly evolving situations.