Emirates Increase Punishment for Viewing and Sharing 'Pornography' in Dubai

Emirates Increase Punishment for Viewing and Sharing 'Pornography' in Dubai

DUBAI — The United Arab Emirates has unveiled new laws increasing the punishment for viewing “pornography” online or sharing it via private messages and social media platforms in UAE territory, including Dubai.

The new, harsher penalties for watching or sharing adult content were revealed yesterday and were then disseminated via video by the Instagram account of pro-government publication Emarat Al Youm, or Emirates Today, published by Dubai Media Foundation.

The video was captioned: “Imprisonment and a fine is the punishment for sharing pornography on social media.”

Noted Emirati legal advisor Youssef Al-Sharif, who speaks in the video, was quoted by English-language news site Dubai Week, stressing “the need for individuals to be careful and considerate when publishing or republishing videos and photos they receive through social networking sites and applications such as WhatsApp.”

When these clips “contain pornography or affect public morality,” they would trigger “unintentional liability, imprisonment and a fine of up to half-a-million dirhams [around U.S. $135,000],” Al-Sharif warned.

Al-Sharif explained that the sharing of “pornography” through What’sApp “can happen between some friends, [and it] is considered a punishable offense under the law,” asking that “individuals, especially young people” realize “the importance of raising awareness when dealing with the virtual world because [it is] easy to send pornography to others [without] awareness of the punishment involved.”

Al-Sharif noted that the Emirati definition of pornography is “the creation of a kind of visual, audio or textual image that aims to stimulate the viewer, listener [or] reader.” This can involve “audio clips, magazines, books and, currently, blogs, social networking sites and information networking.”

The new laws impose prison sentences as well as fines of between 250,000 and 500,000 dirhams, which is around $68,000 to $136,000, for “the creator, administrator or supervisor of a website which broadcasts, transmits, publishes, republishes or displays information about online pornography and [against] public morals.” Anyone “who manufactures, sends or stores pornography and all that goes against public morals with the intent of exploiting or distributing it through an information network will be subject to the same penalty.”

One place that falls under the jurisdiction of these new laws is Dubai, a crucial Middle Eastern hub for business and high-end tourism. Dubai is also known as a destination for many sex workers and social media influencers, who may be directly affected these changes and would do well to be aware of them.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Sex Work CEO Launches 'Teams Plan' for AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Teams Plan for its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

Show More