Police in Dubai have arrested an man for allegedly spreading fake news about the coronavirus.
eCrime department officers said the young Asian edited and posted video footage that “spread fear among community members”.
No further details were revealed, but the arrest came after the government denied a series of rumours spread online.
This included footage shared on social media of a man splayed out on the pavement in what appeared to be Dubai's old town.
Dubai Media Office, the government's press office, said he had an epileptic fit and was not struck down by the virus, as had been claimed.
“Dubai Police warns that spreading rumours is a serious offence that will be severely penalised as per Article 198 of the federal law concerning information technology,” a spokesman said in a statement on Facebook.
Any person who intentionally disseminates false or malicious news, statements, rumours or disruptive propaganda to spread fear among people or to inflict damage to the public interest, shall be punished, it states.
Last week, the government said a statement spread on social media that every phone conversation, WhatsApp message and private social media post would be monitored was false and had been mocked-up to spread panic.
Police encouraged the public to share rumours and suspicious information on its Police Eye platform or E-crime.ae to allow officers to investigate.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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