Picture a room full of journalists in Dubai, notebooks open and cameras ready, listening to a senior Emirati official speak plainly about a threat that most people cannot see but many have felt: the quiet, relentless hum of fake accounts churning through social media. Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the UAE’s National Media Authority, did not sugarcoat the scale of the problem. He told the audience at the UAE Correspondents’ Majlis that more than 11,000 new social media bots were created in October 2026 alone. Eleven thousand in a single month. He called it “a huge amount, a huge number.” The purpose of these bots, he warned, was not innocent chatter or harmless marketing. They were being used to amplify divisive content and inflame tensions between countries in the region. In an age when a single viral post can move markets, shape elections, or spark outrage across borders, this warning carried real weight. The official’s words were a reminder that the digital space has become a new front line, one where anonymous actors can poke at old rivalries and create fresh conflicts without ever revealing their faces. And while the UAE has built a reputation for rapid technological progress and polished public messaging, the battle against these invisible manipulators is fought largely in the shadows, far from the headlines.
What exactly are these bots, and why are they so dangerous? They are automated accounts, often powered by simple scripts or more sophisticated artificial intelligence, designed to post, share, and amplify messages at a scale no human team could match. A handful of people can operate thousands of accounts, making it look as if a particular opinion is sweeping the nation when in reality it is being manufactured in a digital factory. Dubai-based cybersecurity expert Rayad Kamal Ayub has explained that coordinated bot networks are capable of manipulating online conversations and spreading misinformation on a massive scale. They do not just post; they interact, reply, retweet, and create the illusion of grassroots support. They can make a lie look like a movement. In the context of the Middle East, where national identities are strong and historical sensitivities run deep, this kind of manipulation is especially dangerous. A bot network can push a fabricated story about one country’s leaders, another country’s policies, or a religious or ethnic group, and within hours the damage is done. Real people see the posts, share them in anger, and before anyone can verify the facts, the narrative has already taken hold. Al Hamed did not name the platforms involved or say who was behind the bots, but his message was clear: this is an organised, ongoing campaign to weaponize social media against the region’s stability. The numbers he cited are not abstract statistics; they represent an army of digital soldiers deployed to sow discord.
The UAE’s response, according to Al Hamed, has been steady and largely invisible. He said authorities have been monitoring social media platforms for a long time and are working behind the scenes with the companies that run them to eliminate bots and other harmful online activity. Much of this work never makes it to the news, and that is by design. Public announcements can tip off the bad actors, allowing them to adapt and change tactics. But some actions have come to light. In May 2026, Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, the Secretary-General of the National Media Authority, revealed that the authority had removed 10,000 accounts on TikTok alone. These accounts were not just posting ordinary spam. They were publishing AI-generated videos and other material intended to damage the UAE’s reputation, spread false narratives about Dubai and other emirates, and promote harmful ideologies. Ten thousand accounts on one platform is a staggering number, especially when you consider that each account may have had followers, comments, and a network of its own. A month earlier, Al Hamed disclosed that more than 100 social media accounts had been blocked in recent months for publishing content that incited violence during the Iranian attacks. Speaking at the Gulf Influencers event in April, he said those accounts had violated a Gulf code of conduct governing online behaviour. He also noted that the accounts were not linked to any one country, suggesting that the problem is transnational and complex. These takedowns are likely just the tip of the iceberg, the visible portion of a much larger effort that operates quietly in the background.
One of the most interesting parts of Al Hamed’s remarks was his explanation of why authorities do not respond publicly to every false claim. In an era of instant communication, there is often pressure on governments to issue rebuttals within minutes of a lie appearing online. But Al Hamed warned that this instinct can backfire. When an official institution issues a statement denying a story, it can inadvertently give that story credibility and visibility it never deserved. A random post with a handful of views can suddenly become front-page news simply because a government took the time to deny it. Al Hamed said authorities are selective, choosing to respond publicly only when a genuine issue requires clarification, while deliberately ignoring fabricated content designed to provoke a reaction. This is a delicate balancing act. Ignoring misinformation entirely would be irresponsible, but chasing every rumour would create a never-ending cycle of reaction and amplification. The UAE’s approach, he explained, is to distinguish between real problems that need addressing and deliberately manufactured controversies that are better left to wither in obscurity. At the same time, he stressed the importance of direct communication with journalists. Stronger relationships between officials and media organisations, he said, help ensure that accurate information reaches the public quickly and reliably. When trust exists between the government and the press, the truth has a better chance of outpacing the lies, even when the noise online is deafening.
For those who do engage in spreading false information, the consequences in the UAE are severe. The legal framework is designed to be a strong deterrent. Under Article 52 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, publishing or circulating false news, rumours, or misleading information can result in at least one year in prison and a minimum fine of Dh100,000. If the offence is committed during a crisis, emergency, or disaster, the penalties increase significantly, to at least two years in prison and a minimum fine of Dh200,000. In February 2026, the UAE Public Prosecution issued a reminder that even those who simply share or repost unverified content, rather than creating it themselves, could face legal consequences. This is a crucial point. Many people share posts without thinking, believing that they are just passing along information to friends and family. But in the eyes of the law, forwarding a lie can be as serious as inventing it. This legal reality reflects the seriousness with which the UAE treats the digital information ecosystem. It is not just about punishing wrongdoers; it is about creating a culture where people pause before they click, where citizens and residents understand that the content they spread has real-world consequences. The law sends a message that the UAE will not allow its national reputation or social harmony to be undermined by anonymous troublemakers, and that everyone who uses social media has a responsibility to verify before sharing.
Beyond national efforts, the UAE is pushing for regional coordination. At an extraordinary meeting of GCC information ministers in March, Al Hamed proposed coordinated action against anonymous accounts and the establishment of a round-the-clock regional monitoring centre equipped with artificial intelligence to track disinformation. This is a forward-looking idea that recognises a simple truth: misinformation does not respect borders. A bot launched in one country can target another, and a coordinated response is far more effective than isolated national efforts. The proposed centre would use AI to detect patterns, identify bot networks, and alert authorities across the Gulf in real time. It would be a shared defence system for the region’s information space, much like the military alliances that protect physical territory. Al Hamed’s proposal reflects a growing understanding that the battle against disinformation is not a short-term project but an ongoing arms race. As bots become more sophisticated, so too must the tools used to detect and neutralise them. The UAE has already shown leadership in this area, but no single country can solve the problem alone. By working together, the Gulf states can create a united front against those who seek to divide them. In the end, Al Hamed’s warnings are not just about technology; they are about resilience. The UAE is building a society that can withstand the pressure of foreign manipulation, a society where truth is protected by law, by innovation, and by a public that is increasingly aware of the dangers lurking behind every click. The 11,000 bots created in a single month are a reminder that the threat is real, but so is the determination to confront it.