UAE New Media Law: A BOON for Creators and Branders
Dubai, June 11, 2025
A landmark media law went into effect throughout the UAE on May 29 requiring business and media licenses from the UAE Media Council (and in Abu Dhabi, licenses from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development) for influencers and content producers who operate commercially.
Main Points
a) Compulsory licensing: Influencers on social media who advertise brands now have to possess a trade/business and a media license.
b) Individual penalties: Non-compliance may lead to hefty fines totaling as much as AED 1 million for serious infractions and lesser but considerable fines (AED 3,000-10,000) in Abu Dhabi.
c) Regulatory benefits: Startups and single creators pay fewer or no fees; larger agencies enjoy fee scales based on size.
Why This Matters for Your Brand?
1. Transparency Builds Trust: Licensed influencers work under vetted systems, increasing credibility and leaving audiences—and brands—feeling more trusting in collaborations.
2. Streamlined Compliance: With this legal certainty, your advertising team can strategize campaigns based on compliance without incurring surprise costs or being held up by regulations.
3. Strategic Partnerships: With licensed influencers being easily accessed through official registries and websites like Creators HQ, brands are able to partner with creators vetted by the government.
4. Opportunity for Engagement: Free zone developers, small and medium-sized businesses, and new ventures enjoy exemptions and funding such as Dubai's AED 150 million Creators HQ.
Chrysalis Can help!
•Creator's licenses (trade + media + ADDED where necessary), where appropriate.
• Campaign design as per the specifications of the license and ethical content guidelines.
• Support for compliance with disclosure standards such as non-misleading representations, uphold privacy standards, and compliance with copyright laws.
• Optimized performance measurement and contracting with a sense of transparency and accountability
Summing Up: Compliance Is A Competitive Edge
The changing media regulation in the UAE isn’t so much a need as an opportunity. Brands who get ahead of this by collaborating with authorized creators will gain increased trust, brand safety, and performance from their influencer campaigns.
If you'd like to learn how to incorporate licensed creators into your marketing efforts in a seamless manner, Chrysalis has the expertise to assist with everything from selecting the right influencers to ensuring compliance and ROI. Let's discuss!
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