The United Arab Emirates will monitor internet closely

Subject

Importance of social media in the United Arab Emirates.

Significance

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is among the most connected countries in the Middle East, with one of the highest rates of social media penetration. Compared with Western countries, UAE consumers are more likely to engage with brands and to be less worried about issues of privacy and tracking. The government engages in extensive monitoring, surveillance and censorship of social media and apps.

Impacts

• Both global brands and local businesses have additional scope to develop social media strategies to capitalise on rising usage.
• Content with the status quo and tight monitoring will prevent activists from leveraging social media platforms to bring about change.
• Extraterritorial aspects of the cybercrime law could be applied to non-residents and travellers in transit.
• Non-renewal of visas could become a more common, low-profile way to exclude expatriates who transgress on social media.