UAE Media Law
Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 on Media Regulation
Comprehensive media regulation requiring licensing for all digital platforms, social media operations, and influencers. 20 binding content standards with significant penalties.
Jurisdiction
United Arab Emirates
AE
Enacted
Dec 1, 2023
Effective
Dec 1, 2023
Enforcement
UAE Media Council, TDRA, Minister of State for AI
Law effective Dec 2023; penalties framework (Cabinet Resolution 42/2025) effective May 29, 2025
Harms Addressed
Who Must Comply
This law applies to:
- • Digital platforms
- • Social media services
- • Influencers operating in UAE
Who bears obligations:
Safety Provisions
- • Licensing required for digital platforms and social media
- • 20 binding content standards
- • Prohibition on content insulting religion, disrespecting ruling systems, spreading false information
- • Content inciting crime prohibited
Compliance Timeline
May 29, 2025
Cabinet Resolution 42/2025 penalties framework enters force
Enforcement
Enforced by
UAE Media Council, TDRA, Minister of State for AI
Penalties
AED 2M; license revocation
Up to AED 2 million (~$544,000) for repeat offenses; license suspension/closure
Quick Facts
- Binding
- Yes
- Mental Health Focus
- No
- Child Safety Focus
- No
- Algorithmic Scope
- No
Why It Matters
Major content regulation in Gulf region. Content standards significantly overlap with state interest protection—not purely user safety focused. Consider carefully if operating in UAE market.
Recent Developments
Penalties framework via Cabinet Resolution No. 42 of 2025 effective May 29, 2025. UAE Charter for AI Development (June 2024) provides voluntary ethical guidance separately.
Cite This
APA
United Arab Emirates. (2023). Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 on Media Regulation. Retrieved from https://nope.net/regs/uae-media-law
BibTeX
@misc{uae_media_law,
title = {Federal Decree-Law No. 55 of 2023 on Media Regulation},
author = {United Arab Emirates},
year = {2023},
url = {https://nope.net/regs/uae-media-law}
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