Posting without license? Influencers in UAE risk Dh1 million fine: Here's what you need to know
Influencers earning from content in the UAE must get business licenses or risk fines up to Dh1 million/ Image :Pexels
A major update to media regulation in the UAE has officially come into force, requiring all social media influencers and content creators engaged in commercial activities to obtain a business license before applying for a media license from the UAE Media Council.
This shift is part of the broader Media Regulation Law, implemented on May 29, 2025, by the UAE Media Council, marking a significant development in the country's evolving digital media landscape. The regulation is aimed at fostering ethical, high-quality online content, while safeguarding societal norms and ensuring public trust.
Previously, influencers and creators were only required to obtain a media license.
The new regulation now mandates a business license first, reflecting the UAE's commitment to more structured oversight of online commercial activity.
Purpose and Vision Behind the Law
The policy is part of the UAE's Digital Participation Policy, designed to promote constructive engagement on social media while ensuring compliance with local laws and values. It gives the Media Council broad authority to monitor, modify, or remove digital content that violates regulations.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất
IC Markets
Đăng ký
Undo
Speaking at a recent press conference in Dubai, Maitha Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policies Sector at the UAE Media Council, emphasized the broader vision behind the law.
'This road map reflects our deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by new media. It is designed to foster a flexible, contemporary environment that aligns with global media trends while safeguarding the UAE's core values,' she said.
She also noted that the primary goals of the new licensing system are to build public trust, protect audiences, and elevate the quality of online content.
Fee Exemptions to Support Content Creators
In a supportive move aimed at easing the transition, the UAE Media Council has waived all permit fees for a period of three years for influencers and content creators applying under the new system.
According to Maitha Al Suwaidi:
'To support content creators, the Council is offering a three-year exemption from permit fees, providing a financial cushion for influencers to adapt to the new regulations.'
This approach reflects an understanding of the financial and logistical challenges that many independent creators face, particularly those who are just beginning to commercialize their platforms.
Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance
The updated Media Regulation Law also introduces stringent penalties for violations. Offenders may face fines of up to Dh1 million, with the severity of the penalty based on the frequency and gravity of the offense.
The UAE Media Council retains full authority to delete or modify any content that contravenes the guidelines set forth in the new law, including posts that may be deemed defamatory, offensive, or otherwise disruptive to social harmony.
What Influencers and Creators Need to Know
Here's a breakdown of what's now required under the new law:
Licensing Steps:
Obtain a business license — mandatory for any influencer or creator earning through content.
Apply for a media license — from the UAE Media Council after the business license is secured.
Key Features:
Three-year exemption from media license fees to ease the financial burden.
Regulatory oversight of content for quality and social compliance.
Authority to remove or amend content violating the law.
Penalties:
Fines up to Dh1 million for violations.
Escalating penalties based on the severity and recurrence of offenses.
Broader Impact
The UAE's updated media framework marks a defining moment in its approach to digital communication. It puts in place a modern and robust regulatory system that balances the freedom to create with responsibility and accountability, ultimately aiming to promote a safer, more credible, and culturally respectful digital environment.
With the UAE emerging as a growing hub for digital talent, these regulatory developments are likely to shape influencer practices, guide content standards, and ensure that public engagement remains respectful and in line with national values.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
India's April-May fiscal deficit at Rs 13,163 crore, narrows on-year to 0.8% of FY26 aim
India's fiscal deficit for the first two months of this fiscal year through May stood at 13,163 crore rupees, or 0.8% of annual estimates, government data showed today. The fiscal deficit narrowed from 3.1% reported in the comparable year-earlier period. While announcing the federal budget for this fiscal year that started April 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set the fiscal deficit target for 2025-26 at 4.4%, in line with the Indian government's commitment to narrow the budget gap to below 4.5% by fiscal 2026. India's fiscal deficit for FY25 stood at 4.8% of GDP, meeting the revised estimate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Book Your Daily Profit By 11 AM With This Superclass By Mr. Bala TradeWise Learn More Undo The lower fiscal deficit target for 2025-26 was expected on hopes of strong tax collections, despite the government's continued capex push that is crucial to shore up consumption and create jobs and help India achieve its aim to be world's third largest economy by 2030.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
Nations are meeting to drum up trillions to combat poverty - but the US isn't going
Nations are meeting to drum up trillions to combat poverty - but the US isn't going(AP Photos) Many of the world's nations are gathering starting Monday in Spain for a high-level conference to tackle the growing gap between rich and poor nations and try to drum up trillions of dollars needed to close it. The United States, previously a major contributor, pulled its participation, so finding funding will be tough. The four-day Financing for Development meeting in the southern city of Seville is taking place as many countries face escalating debt burdens, declining investments, decreasing international aid and increasing trade barriers. "Financing is the engine of development. And right now, this engine is sputtering," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his opening comments at the conference. "We are here in Sevilla to change course, to repair and rev up the engine of development to accelerate investment at the scale and speed required." The U.N. and Spain, the conference co-hosts, believe the meeting is an opportunity to reverse the downward spiral, close the staggering $4 trillion annual financing gap to promote development, bring millions of people out of poverty and help achieve the U.N.'s wide-ranging and badly lagging Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like VTP Altamira: Smart Living at New Kharadi's Tallest Tower Vtp Altair Enquire Now Undo Even though the gathering comes amid global economic uncertainty and high geopolitical tensions, there is hope among the hosts that the world can address one of the most important global challenges - ensuring all people have access to food, health care, education and water. "The government of Spain believes that this summit is an opportunity for us to change course, for us to raise our voice in the face of those who seek to convince us that rivalry and competition will set the tone for humanity and for its future," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the delegates as he inaugurated the conference. The ambitious package seeks to reverse decline in development High-level delegations, including more than 70 world leaders, are attending in Seville, the U.N. said, along with several thousand others from international financial institutions, development banks, philanthropic organizations, the private sector and civil society. At its last preparatory meeting on June 17, the United States rejected the 38-page outcome document that had been negotiated for months by the U.N.'s 193 member nations and announced its withdrawal from the process and from the Seville conference. The rest of the countries then approved the document by consensus and sent it to Seville, where it is expected to be adopted by conference participants without changes. It will be known as the Seville Commitment - or Compromiso de Sevilla in Spanish. The document says the leaders and high-level representatives have decided to launch "an ambitious package of reforms and actions to close the financing gap with urgency," saying it is now estimated at $4 trillion a year. Among the proposals and actions, it calls for minimum tax revenue of 15% of a country's gross domestic product to increase government resources, a tripling of lending by multilateral development banks, and scaling up private financing by providing incentives for investing in critical areas like infrastructure. It also calls for a number of reforms to help countries deal with rising debt. U.N. trade chief Rebeca Grynspan said recently that "development is going backward" and the global debt crisis has worsened. Last year, 3.3 billion people were living in countries that pay more interest on their debts than they spend on health or education - and the number will increase to 3.4 billion people this year, according to Grynspan. And developing countries will pay $947 billion to service debts this year, up from $847 billion last year. She spoke at a press conference where an expert group on debt appointed by Guterres presented 11 recommendations that they say can resolve the debt crisis, empower borrowing countries and create a fairer system. US objections to the document While the U.S. objected to many actions in the outcome document, American diplomat Jonathan Shrier told the June 17 meeting: "Our commitment to international cooperation and long-term economic development remains steadfast." He said, however, that the text "crosses many of our red lines," including interfering with the governance of international financial institutions, tripling the annual lending capacity of multilateral development banks and proposals envisioning a role for the U.N. in the global debt architecture. Shrier also objected to proposals on trade, tax and innovation that are not in line with U.S. policy, as well as language on a U.N. framework convention on international tax cooperation. The United States was the world's largest single founder of foreign aid. The Trump administration has dismantled its main aid agency, the U.S. Agency for International Development, while drastically slashing foreign assistance funding, calling it wasteful and contrary to the Republican president's agenda. Other Western donors also have cut back international aid. U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said last week that the U.S. withdrawal from the conference was "unfortunate," stressing that "many of the recommendations you see cannot be pursued without a continuous engagement with the U.S." After Seville, "we will engage again with the U.S. and hope that we can make the case that they be part of the success of pulling millions of people out of poverty."
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Maintain balanced work-life schedule': Infosys sends message to staff even as Narayana Murthy advocates '70-hour work week'
Infosys has sent personalised emails to staff members, requesting them to maintain standard working hours. Even as Infosys founder NR Naryana Murthy calls for Indians to work 70 hours a week, the IT services giant has flagged employees working extended hours, stressing on the need for work-life balance. Infosys has started a campaign to caution staff about extended working hours during remote work periods, highlighting potential health concerns and emphasising the importance of maintaining work-life equilibrium. Infosys has sent personalised emails to staff members, requesting them to maintain standard working hours. "We must work for 9.15 hours a day for five days a week, and if we overshoot this while working remotely, it prompts a trigger," an employee was quoted as saying in an ET report. The email indicates that the employee's monthly average working hours exceeded the company's prescribed duration. Infosys Monitors Work From Home Hours The human resources department monitors remote working hours monthly. When excessive hours are detected, they send detailed notifications to the concerned staff member, including information about remote working days, total hours worked and daily average hours. This monitoring system was implemented following the introduction of hybrid working arrangements. The HR department now tracks the duration each employee spends on official duties whilst working remotely. The financial daily has reviewed several such employee communications. These messages emphasised that prioritising health and work-life balance would benefit both personal well-being and professional success in the long term. Infosys employs approximately 323,500 staff members. Their workplace attendance directive, implemented on November 20, 2023, stipulates that staff must be present in the office for a minimum of 10 days monthly. Also Read | Not just Apple iPhones! Android smartphone makers like Samsung, Motorola step up exports from India to US; move due to Trump's tariff policies This programme from India's second-largest IT services provider emerges amidst concerns about young tech professionals facing health challenges, particularly cardiac issues, attributed to their irregular dietary and rest patterns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo "While we appreciate your commitment, we also believe that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for both your well-being and long-term professional success," says the HR communication. "We understand that work demands and deadlines can sometimes lead to longer hours. However, it is important to maintain the balanced work-life schedule to enhance productivity and overall happiness." The correspondence further adds, "Take regular breaks during your workday; Let your manager know if you are feeling overwhelmed or need support with reviewing priorities. Speak to your manager about delegating tasks or redistributing some responsibilities as appropriate; Take time to recharge during off hours, minimising work-related interactions whenever possible." In recent years, discussions surrounding occupational stress and its impact on workers' wellbeing have sparked widespread conversations about maintaining equilibrium between professional and personal life. This discourse has gained attention both nationally and internationally, as increasing instances of workplace-related pressure have resulted in various health complications, with some cases unfortunately leading to fatalities. Also Read | Tata Electronics builds India's 1st semiconductor fabrication unit: Gujarat enables 1,500 residential units; mainly for Tata Group staff, suppliers Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
