Influencer activity in the UAE is tightly regulated. Since mid-2025 the UAE Media Council has required influencers to hold licenses, increasing oversight of what they can publish. That regulatory backdrop intensified after retaliatory strikes by Iran damaged UAE infrastructure. Authorities warned that spreading rumors or unverified information is a crime, and public messaging focused on reassuring residents and protecting the Emirates’ reputation as a safe, luxury business hub — an image influencers are often enlisted to uphold.
During the attacks, reaction on social platforms varied. Some creators continued routine beauty and lifestyle posts; others shared panicked videos as explosions shook tourist areas. Dubai International Airport sustained damage, debris from intercepted drones sparked a fire at the Burj Al Arab, and there was a fire near the Fairmont on Palm Jumeirah. Officials and PR teams repeatedly stressed the effectiveness of the UAE’s air defences, saying they shot down nearly all of the incoming ordnance — citing about 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 drones launched within a 24-hour period — and argued that most damage resulted from falling debris rather than direct hits.
That official framing filtered into influencer content. Some urged followers to avoid “fake news,” explaining loud nightly bangs as the sounds of intercepted ordnance and falling debris. The Dubai Media Office warned against reposting old footage of past incidents, labelling such clips misleading. The UAE Public Prosecution threatened fines up to Dh200,000 (€46,000) and at least one year in prison for sharing footage from unknown sources.
A German news report captured anxiety among foreign creators in Dubai about what they are allowed to say. Influencers described confusion and pressure to delete material; several posts and stories were later removed. Those reactions have broader implications: Dubai’s population has surpassed 4 million, roughly 90% of whom are expatriates, and experts warn that prolonged uncertainty could damage the emirate’s appeal as a safe haven for international capital and talent.
High-profile social-media figures offered mixed signals: some posted nonchalant or celebratory clips during the unrest, while others left the city. Telegram founder Pavel Durov said he had departed for Europe, citing safety; Elon Musk replied that the UAE is “objectively safer and better run than many areas of Europe.” The episode highlights how state messaging, legal controls and influencer activity intersect when a global city tries to manage both security and its carefully curated international image.”}