Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have arrested several expatriates for spreading false information and glorifying Iranian attacks on the UAE.
According to reports, the detained individuals include 17 Indians, two Pakistanis, two Filipinas, two Nepalese, one Egyptian, and one Bangladeshi national.
Officials said the arrests were made as part of efforts to curb the spread of misinformation and content that could threaten public security or incite unrest.
Authorities reiterated that strict action will be taken against anyone found spreading false news or promoting hostile activities on social media or other platforms.
A day earlier, United Arab Emirates arrested 45 individuals for allegedly spreading misleading information on social media platforms.
The arrests were made as part of efforts to curb the spread of false content online and to maintain the integrity of digital information shared across social media.
Authorities in the UAE maintain that strict action against misinformation is necessary to prevent the circulation of fake news and content that could mislead the public.
The development has also started a debate on social media in Pakistan, where netizens say that misleading information and fake news are often circulated online without accountability. They claimed that action against such content is sometimes portrayed as a threat to freedom of expression.
It is important to mention here that these arrests have highlighted ongoing discussions about the balance between tackling misinformation and protecting freedom of speech in the digital age.
Earlier, Indonesia unveiled new restrictions on the access of social media for kids under the age of 16, making it the latest country to announce restrictions for ensuring online safety for young people.
The country’s Communications and Digital Ministry said in a statement on Friday that the policy is aimed at minimising issues like cyber-bullying, exposure to harmful content and growing worries about social media addiction among minors.
