In Dubai, some influencers are voicing their disapproval of fellow content creators who have chosen to leave the city amid Iran’s missile attacks on the United Arab Emirates.
As the city continues to intercept incoming missiles, these influencers are criticizing those who have departed, branding them as “ungrateful” and likening them to “headless chickens.”
This criticism follows two weeks of scrutiny directed at Dubai-based influencers who have been accused of failing to meet public expectations during the crisis.
Australian influencer Louise Starkey ignited controversy with her remark that such events “aren’t supposed to happen here” when the missile threats first emerged over Dubai’s affluent areas.
Meanwhile, prominent French influencer Maddy Burciaga shared with her 2.7 million followers that she left her pet dog behind in her hurried departure, citing “too much paperwork” as the reason.
Conversely, British influencer Mitchell Armstrong seeks to dispel any misconceptions, asserting that the missile threats have not disrupted his luxurious lifestyle in the slightest.
“Our routine over the last two weeks has not changed. My routine has not changed,” Armstrong said in a recent post.
He explained that the attacks haven’t affected his ability to enjoy a daily trip to the sauna, the steam room in his $2.1 million apartment building.
He uses a mocking tone when discussing the attitudes of those who were racing to get out of the city since initial attacks.
“All the rich guys, all the guys making money, printing bread either profited off the war or made more money because we are more locked in,” he said in front of a calm Dubai skyline.
“People running around like headless chickens, like the world is ending, and now four days in a row, we have had nothing in Dubai,” he claimed.
“No bombs, no crackles, no nothing, no missile interceptions.”
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Since his post on Friday, Dubai and other parts of the UAE have experienced a fresh wave of missile interceptions.
He isn’t the only influencer voicing criticism, with Soudi Al Nadak, showing over one million followers her current experience in the city.
“As you can see, it is very quiet and peaceful in Dubai at the moment, but for those people who want to leave, let them leave. I just think they are very ungrateful,” she said in a recent post.
She said it means less traffic and fewer scammers operating in the city.
In her opinion, she doesn’t believe the home countries influencers are returning to “are any better” than Dubai.
“I still feel very grateful that I live in one of the safest countries in the world. Like, there is quite literally nowhere else I would rather be right now,” she said.
Her comment section seemed thankful for her personal update.
“Thank goodness I was a little worried. Stay safe. It’s hard to tell what’s going on with social media,” one person said.
Another wrote: “Love it, stay safe, queen.”
Before the start of the war, it’s estimated that 20,000 Aussies were living in Dubai.
On Thursday, Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong urged those comfortable with staying to weigh up their options carefully.
“I would speak to the Australians, the expats who live in the Middle East: our view, our advice is if you can secure a seat on a commercial flight, you should take it,” Ms Wong said.
“Please do not wait until it is too late.”
UAE social media restrictions
The UAE has strict rules about posting on social media.
A British tourist is among at least 21 people charged under cybercrime laws in the UAE after allegedly filming Iranian missiles causing carnage in Dubai.
The 60-year-old was arrested last Monday – despite assuring police that he’d deleted the footage from his phone.
Regardless, the Londoner was caught up in the mass crackdown, campaign group Detained in Dubai warned.
Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, described the list of charges as “extremely vague but serious on paper”.
“In reality, the alleged conduct could be something as simple as sharing or commenting on a video that is already circulating online,” she said.
“Under UAE cybercrime laws, the person who originally posts content can be charged, but so can anyone who reshapes, reposts or comments on it.
“One video can quickly lead to dozens of people facing criminal charges.”
All 21 people are accused of using an information network or information technology tool to broadcast, publish, republish or circulate false news, rumours or provocative propaganda that may incite public opinion or disturb public security.
On March 2, the UAE Public Prosecution had released a statement warning anyone who posts or reposts conflict footage from “unknown sources” will face legal accountability including Dh200,000 [$54458.82 USD] fine and imprisonment of not less than one year.
“Information is a responsibility, and spreading rumours is a crime,” it said in the statement.
“The Public Prosecution warns against publishing or circulating rumours and information from unknown sources through social media platforms.”
As of February this year, individuals posting any paid or unpaid sponsored content must obtain an advertiser permit and to be approved, they must follow 20 mandatory content standards.
