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According to the advocacy group Detained in Dubai, multiple individuals have been charged under laws that criminalise content deemed to “disturb public security”. The group says the number of affected British nationals could be as high as 70.

In one case, a 60-year-old British tourist was detained after recording footage of a strike, despite reportedly deleting it when approached by police.

The crackdown comes as the UAE continues to promote Dubai as a global centre for tourism, business and digital creators.

With expatriates making up the vast majority of the population, critics warn the arrests risk targeting the same communities that underpin the country’s economy and international appeal.

The UAE’s attorney general has warned of “immediate criminal accountability” for those who share content during times of crisis.

Rights advocates say the measures risk undermining Dubai’s carefully cultivated image of openness, as authorities move to control how the war is documented within the country.

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