UAE Official Warns Over 11,000 New Bots Emerged in October 2026

Bot surge detected

The UAE closely monitors fake news, misinformation and social media bots but does not respond to every false claim, especially those designed to provoke a reaction, says official. Published on Mon 19 Oct 2026 at 6:00 AM, the report reveals that more than 11,000 new bots were created in October 2026 alone. Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority (NMA), described the figure as “a huge amount, a huge number”. Speaking at the UAE Correspondents’ Majlis in Dubai, he said authorities were monitoring the emergence of bots being used to amplify content and aggravate relations between countries. He added that “Everyone knows that there is a lot of fake news, lots of bots that are being used on the social media platforms.” Al Hamed did not specify which platforms were involved or who was behind the bots.

Authorities’ response and monitoring

UAE authorities have been working with social media companies to eliminate bots and other harmful online activity, with much of the work taking place without public announcements. Al Hamed said, “We are working behind the scenes to do this.” He noted that authorities had been monitoring social media platforms for a long time and that these efforts continue as new bots and misleading content appear. In May 2026, Dr Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Secretary‑General of the NMA, revealed that the authority had removed 10,000 accounts on TikTok alone. Those accounts 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. A month earlier, in April 2026, Al Hamed disclosed that more than 100 social media accounts had been blocked for publishing content that incited violence during the Iranian attacks. Speaking at the Gulf Influencers event, he said the accounts had violated a Gulf code of conduct governing online behaviour and were not linked to any one country.

Legal stance and regional cooperation

Al Hamed explained that authorities are selective about responding publicly to misinformation, particularly when it involves fabricated claims designed to provoke a reaction. He said issuing an official rebuttal to every false report could inadvertently give credibility and greater visibility to content that would otherwise have little significance. Instead, authorities seek to distinguish between genuine issues requiring clarification and deliberately fabricated material intended to generate controversy. The approach is not to ignore misinformation altogether; authorities continue monitoring digital platforms and working with companies to address suspicious activity. Al Hamed also emphasised the importance of direct communication with journalists, saying that stronger relationships between officials and media organisations would help ensure that accurate information reaches the public. While authorities may choose not to respond publicly to every false claim, spreading misinformation can still carry serious legal consequences in the UAE. 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. Penalties increase to at least two years in prison and a minimum fine of Dh200,000 if the offence is committed during a crisis, emergency or disaster. In February 2026, the UAE Public Prosecution reiterated that even those who share or repost unverified content, rather than create it themselves, could face legal consequences. 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.