Dubai influencers paid to downplay Iran attacks

Residents say deviating from the official message could have serious consequences. 

By World Israel News Staff

Social media celebrities based in Dubai have reportedly been paid by the Emirati government to post content claiming that all is well in the city, even as it comes under repeated missile and drone attacks from Iran.

Dubai, a glittering desert metropolis known for its luxury hotels, massive shopping malls and ostentatious displays of wealth, is one of the world’s top tourism destinations.

Expat influencers with millions of followers have long flocked to the city, drawn by its status as a tax haven where no personal income tax is required. Many of them have built careers promoting Dubai as a playground for the wealthy and a family-friendly destination, helping fuel the Emirates’ booming tourism industry.

But that carefully curated image has been shattered in recent weeks amid repeated Iranian attacks on the city following the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Despite the escalating security situation, anyone scrolling through Instagram or TikTok might think life in Dubai is continuing as usual.

According to a report in the UK outlet The Daily Mail, influencers are being compensated to promote the Emirati government’s messaging that life in the city is continuing as normal.

“There are drones and missiles” entering Dubai’s airspace “every day,” one influencer told the Daily Mail.

“People have died and there are countless injured, but luckily, there haven’t yet been mass casualties. But we do read reports about a shortage of interceptor missiles and rockets, so to pretend it’s all rosy is quite a stretch,” the influencer added.

Residents say deviating from the official message could have serious consequences. Some said they fear imprisonment if they post content showing the reality on the ground, which could damage the city’s reputation.

Government alerts sent to residents’ phones warn they could face legal trouble if they post photos or videos showing drone impacts or explosions in the city.

Prominent influencers have reportedly scrambled to leave the Emirates amid major flight disruptions. Some have taken lengthy overland journeys through neighboring Oman to catch flights back to their home countries.