Think before you post: Why digital nomads could face deportation and prison in the UAE and Jordan
DIGITAL NOMADS | MEDIA & LAW | MIDDLE EAST
Two weeks into the US-Israeli war on Iran, the skies above the Gulf States have become a nightly spectacle of drones and missiles. People, other than authorised members of the media, who have filmed the strikes on their phones and posted the footage online are now facing criminal charges. Some are foreign nationals — and the arrests have already begun.
This comes at a time when Dubai and Amman have become major hubs for international remote workers and content creators. However, many newcomers fail to realise that regional laws governing digital content can be radically different from those in their home country.
If you live, work or travel in the UAE or Jordan, or if you are planning to, this is the article you need to read before you next pick up your phone.
In March 2026, a 60-year-old British national was arrested in Dubai for filming incoming Iranian missiles. He is among 21 individuals recently charged under UAE rumours and cybercrime legislation for sharing footage of the regional conflict.
Radha Stirling of Detained in Dubai noted that even those who deleted footage immediately upon request are still facing prosecution. She has also warned that even sharing or commenting on circulating videos or news could also lead to jail, fines and deportation.
Even as a tourist in the Middle East, you may believe that taking such images would be helping locals and the wider world about what’s happening on the ground. However, these actions are illegal on the grounds that they could incite public panic and unrest.
The charges sound extremely vague but serious on paper. In reality, the alleged conduct could be something as simple as sharing or commenting on a video that is already circulating online.
Under UAE cybercrime laws, the person who originally posts content can be charged, but so can anyone who reshapes, reposts or comments on it. One video can quickly lead to dozens of people facing criminal charges.
-Radha Stirling, Detained in Dubai
Stirling’s report said penalties in such cases can include up to two years in prison, fines ranging from AED 20,000 to AED 200,000, or both, and foreign nationals will also face deportation.
Stirling warned that the risk is compounded because multiple counts can be applied, meaning a person who reposts several clips or articles could theoretically face cumulative charges and multiple sentences, even where the actions were entirely innocent.
If you are still questioning these suggested warnings, here are some condensed guidelines, laws and legal cases to be aware of.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE’s Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 (Cybercrime Law) treats privacy as a criminal matter. Article 44, for example, outlines how photographing people, cars, or homes without explicit consent carries a minimum six-month prison sentence and fines up to 500,000 AED (~$136,000 USD).
Censorship: The UK Foreign Office warns that posting content critical of the government, companies, or individuals—or relating to sensitive “incidents”—is illegal.
Professional requirements:
- Licensing: As of late 2025, all creators must hold a Mandatory Advertiser Permit.
- Permits: Using professional gear (DSLRs/gimbals) requires approval from the Dubai Film and TV Commission.
Jordan
Since August 2023, Jordan’s new Cybercrime Law, described by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as “draconian”, has significantly curtailed digital expression.
Political sensitivity: In 2024, Palestinian-Jordanian journalist Hiba Abu Taha was sentenced to one year in prison for an article alleging that Jordan at the time was allowing regional companies to ship goods to Israel.
Social media: Activist Samer al-Qassem received three months in prison over a TikTok video regarding refugees. Amnesty International reported he was sentenced to three months in prison and fined 5000 JOD (around 7000 USD) under the Cybercrimes Law for “using social media platforms to provoke sedition and threaten societal peace”.
Media blocks: In May 2025, authorities blocked 12 news outlets, including Middle East Eye, following investigative reports.
VPNs: Article 12 criminalises VPN use if deemed an attempt to “prevent the discovery” of a crime: “Whoever circumvents the IP address by using a fictitious address or an address belonging to a third party, or by any other means, with the intention of committing a crime or preventing its discovery, shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of no less than six months or a fine of no less than (2500) two thousand five hundred Dinars and no more than (25000) twenty five thousand Dinars.”
In Jordan, public space does not equate to free space to film and then post whatever you witness, as authorities exercise broad discretion to halt filming, and the 2024 Freedom on the Net report confirms that digital rights are shrinking.
Your legal standing as a freelancer or digital nomad abroad
As regional developments continue to impact the Gulf States, residents are advised that prioritising personal safety includes comprehensive compliance with local regulations. It is essential to recognise that regional legal frameworks often diverge from Western norms; understanding these distinctions is critical to maintaining your legal standing.
More sources: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office; UAE Cybercrime Law (Decree 34 of 2021); Jordan Cybercrime Law 2023; Amnesty International; Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); UAE Media Council
