Dubai Influencers Face Censorship Amid Ongoing War: Silence Replaces Updates
As missiles and drones illuminated the skies over Dubai, many social media influencers in the city transitioned into roles as citizen journalists. The usual content focusing on fitness, real estate, and cryptocurrency was abruptly replaced by urgent updates regarding Iran’s military actions.
On the first day of the conflict, Will Bailey, a British fitness influencer, shared a video with his 130,000 Instagram followers from a beach club, capturing plumes of smoke rising from a nearby building. He remarked, “That is the Fairmont Hotel in Dubai. Oh my God.” Bailey, who moved to Dubai just a month prior, continued to post multiple updates and participated in interviews with Western media outlets. He expressed concern about the lack of seriousness among some residents regarding the escalating situation.
However, as the week progressed, the frequency of such updates diminished. While missile attacks persisted, Bailey ceased posting altogether. In contrast, other influencers began to share enthusiastic messages praising the United Arab Emirates’ government and military, raising suspicions of censorship among the populace.
Approximately 90% of the UAE’s population consists of expatriates, and over the past three decades, the country has cultivated a reputation as a luxurious tax haven filled with business opportunities. The UAE’s strict laws and regulations, including those governing social media, have become more pronounced amid the ongoing conflict.
Censorship and Control
The UAE government has implemented stringent measures to control information dissemination. Following the outbreak of war, authorities warned that individuals sharing misinformation or content that could incite panic could face prosecution. This directive effectively grants the government the authority to determine what constitutes verified information.
For instance, a video showing an Iranian drone crashing into a building at Dubai Airport was met with official claims that it was merely debris from an interception. As a result, the once-popular clips depicting attacks have largely vanished from social media, replaced by influencers expressing gratitude towards the government.
State media reported the swift reopening of the Fairmont Hotel after a “fire,” neglecting to mention the drone strike that had occurred. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s leader, has also engaged in public relations efforts, visiting hospitals and shopping in public—actions rarely seen before the conflict.
Analysts suggest that this is a coordinated effort to overshadow the chaotic reality on the ground, such as airport delays and emergency sirens, with a more favorable narrative. Many influencers have begun posting slow-motion clips of the sheikhs, accompanied by captions like “we know who protects us.” One Australian expatriate who recently left Dubai described this trend as “very cringe,” acknowledging that while he wouldn’t label it as propaganda, it certainly resembled a public relations campaign.
Regional Reactions
The crackdown on social media is not unique to the UAE. In neighboring Qatar, authorities have detained at least 313 individuals for “filming and circulating videos, spreading rumors, and publishing misleading information” related to the conflict. Kuwait has gone so far as to ban any publication concerning the fighting altogether.
Monitoring social media is a longstanding practice in the region. Olesya Gavilova, a well-known real estate agent, received a police summons last December for a video she posted, which has since been deleted. She later thanked the officers for their professionalism and reminded residents that grievances could be addressed through the government’s Happiness Ministry.
UAE state media recently featured Australian real estate agent Jessica Stephens, who criticized the Australian government’s evacuation efforts for its citizens in Dubai. She noted that many flights had empty seats and expressed a desire to remain in the UAE rather than return to Australia, stating, “Stop acting like you’re trying to help us and get us all home because we don’t want to come home, and that’s the real truth.”
So far, four individuals have lost their lives in the UAE due to Iranian attacks, significantly impacting the country’s image as a safe haven. The perception of safety is crucial for Dubai, which relies heavily on tourism, real estate, and aviation. An Australian expatriate who left the UAE expressed concerns that a loss of safety could pose an existential threat to the city.
Influencers in the UAE are required to obtain government permits for their activities. While none have publicly acknowledged receiving compensation for their patriotic messaging, they have become the subject of online ridicule. However, questions remain about the extent to which these influencers and their substantial followings may be utilized to disseminate official narratives.
As the conflict continues, many residents have chosen to stay in the UAE despite the dangers. One expatriate shared a message from a friend in Dubai, stating, “Been to the gym this morning. BBQ this afternoon. Just another day in paradise.”
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Published on 2026-03-09 23:47:00 • By Editorial Desk
