The UAE brought in new laws earlier this year requiring influencers, who are paid for content, to have a trade licence and an e-media licence costing a total of Dh30,000. AFP
The UAE brought in new laws earlier this year requiring influencers, who are paid for content, to have a trade licence and an e-media licence costing a total of Dh30,000. AFP
The UAE brought in new laws earlier this year requiring influencers, who are paid for content, to have a trade licence and an e-media licence costing a total of Dh30,000. AFP
The UAE brought in new laws earlier this year requiring influencers, who are paid for content, to have a trade licence and an e-media licence costing a total of Dh30,000. AFP

UAE consumers warned to be wary of online influencer endorsements


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai's retail regulator has warned consumers to think twice before blindly following the lead of an increasing number of social media influencers who promote products and services online.

Social media stars with large numbers of followers are pushing brands in posts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter – and being paid fortunes for doing so.

Dubai Consumer Protection has advised consumers to be wary about allowing purchasing habits to be persuaded by influencers who may have no information on the products they are promoting.

New regulations were introduced this year requiring anyone promoting products online in the UAE in exchange for payment or benefits must be licensed by the National Media Council.

The DCP posted a video of around 35 seconds on Twitter, showing a woman sitting down to enjoy a croissant in a restaurant, photographing her food and then posting it online before being handed an envelope with payment.

She then gets up and walks off without eating her meal.

“Do not restrict your choices to social media influencers opinion on a product, service or a meal in a restaurant,” the government message said.

“Some of them are paid to advertise convincingly to you. Ask more before you make a purchase.”

The authorities have sought to regulate social media businesses and influencers in recent months, including the need to have a social media licence.

Influencers must have a trade licence and an e-media licence at a cost of about Dh30,000.

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Read more:

UAE's paid social media influencers will need licence under new media rules

$5,000 a post: the power of UAE’s social media influencers

National Editorial: Social media influencers should take responsibility

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

UAE rugby in numbers

5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons

700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams

Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams

Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season

Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season

RACE RESULTS

1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1hr 21min 48.527sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 0.658sec
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 6.012 
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7.430
5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 20.370
6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:13.160
7. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap
8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1 lap
9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1 lap
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 lap
11. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap
12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 1 lap
14. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) 1 lap
15. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps
16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 3 laps

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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