Fake news treated as security threat during Iran war, says UAE minister

During the Iran war, the UAE's Minister of State, Noura Al Kaabi, emphasized how technology has intensified the challenges faced by global leaders. At the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, she highlighted the rapid dissemination of fake news and misinformation as a security threat. She pointed out that these issues were treated as genuine security concerns during the conflict.

Al Kaabi cited a 2018 MIT report stating that false news stories are 70% more likely to be posted on social media than accurate reports. She warned that the rise of artificial intelligence could further exacerbate this issue, enabling the fabrication of news. To combat this, she advocated for a swift response and the delivery of verified news through trusted channels.

The minister also stressed the growing influence of young people and the platforms they use, advocating for the empowerment of the region's youth to shape its narrative. Meanwhile, Gulf countries have been on high alert since late February, receiving warnings from their governments to rely only on official sources and avoid sharing footage of missile interceptions.

The UAE's Attorney General, Dr Hamad Al Shamsi, specifically cautioned against taking or sharing images of Iranian attacks, citing the risk of panic and presenting a false impression of the country's situation. Dr Al Shamsi also noted that unverified clips or images, potentially manipulated by AI, could lead to criminal charges for spreading false information.