Police in the UAE have issued a warning against circulating photos and videos of accidents on social media.
In an Instagram post, the Abu Dhabi Police said that the public needs to be aware that posting photos of accidents can lead to confusion among social media users. Major General Salem Shaheen Al Nuaimi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Police Command Sector, said, that UAE residents should ensure the accuracy of their sources before publishing anything online.
UAE motorists are discouraged on using social media sites for reporting traffic violations or circulating rumours.
Al Nuaimi added that authorities are monitoring social media sites for any content that could harm the general public.
He then affirmed that the Abu Dhabi Police, through its social media platforms, is conducting a series of awareness activities to alert the community about the dangers of the harmful use of social media.
Last year, the UAE Ministry of Interior announced that snapping photos or videos of traffic accidents and circulating them on social networking sites is a violation of the law. It’s also illegal to post images or videos of aviation accidents, according to the Ministry, those found guilty could face up to life imprisonment and/or a fine between AED 50,000 and AED 3 million, as well as deportation.