Dubai is often touted as a great destination for a holiday where busy people can find rest and relaxation in the middle of the world’s most modern city, but not everything is as it seems. The United Arab Emirates is a still a Muslim nation and as such, has many rules that westerners from Christian countries are not used to – one of those being freedom of speech.
The UAE takes strong action against anyone that dares criticize them online. Ryan Pate, a helicopter mechanic, learned that the hard way after writing a Facebook post against his Dubai employer Global Aerospace Logistics while at home in Florida. When he returned to the UAE, he was promptly arrested for breaking the countries strict cyber-slander laws.
But now, there are new reasons to be concerned if you are planning a trip to Dubai. If you use your social media as a platform to raise awareness, promote products, or preach a message then you might be loosely defined as a content creator – in which case you need to register when visiting the UAE – and according to the law, it doesn’t matter if you are being paid or not to make your social media post.
This is not just for UAE citizens, but specifically applies to visitors. “Content creators” visiting the UAE will also be required to grab a special visitor advertising permit which will be good for three months.
This summer, UAE Media Council passed a new law pertaining to “anyone in the UAE involved in commercial activities as a social media influencer or content creator.” They must now obtain a business license. The new legislation, enacted under Federal Media Law No. 55 establishes new standards and licensing rules for social media influencers and content creators.
According to the new law, content creators (which is purposefully loosely defined), must obtain two license – one for being a business and another for media. There is a fee waiver for the introduction period, but after that there will be a fee. Currently the two licensing fees cost anywhere from $4,000 USD and upwards.
This policy is part of the Dubai’s efforts to hide the real underbelly of the Muslim nation, it’s treatment of women, persecution against Christians, use of slave-like labor, human trafficking, and to squash critique. To ensure compliance, the new law gives the government broad authority to modify, monitor, or remove digital content that violates regulations on registered accounts.
If you are thinking that you can visit Dubai and just take your chances, the risk could be quite high, because if you are caught and convicted of being a ‘social media’ influencer and have not properly registered then you can be fined as much as a million DHS or $270,000 USD.
