UAE online safety guide: How to protect your privacy on social media

Dubai: The UAE Cyber Security Council have issued a fresh advisory urging residents to exercise greater caution with their digital footprints as part of a renewed push for online safety.

The guidance comes amid a rise in sophisticated social engineering tactics where oversharing on social media platforms is increasingly being leveraged by bad actors. Officials noted that while users often believe their profiles are private, the reality of digital permanence and data scraping means that personal information remains more vulnerable than many realise.

The advisory highlights four critical categories of information that should never be disclosed publicly:

"Online safety starts with small, everyday choices," the Cyber Security Coucncil noted, stressing that disclosing outing plans effectively broadcasts when a residence is empty, while sharing phone numbers often serves as a gateway for targeted phishing scams and unwanted contact.

To mitigate these risks, residents are being encouraged to 'pause before posting' and conduct regular audits of their platform privacy settings. This follows a broader regional trend of tightening digital security measures.

The advisory also reminded users that privacy is not solely a personal responsibility; it requires an awareness of what friends and acquaintances might be sharing about one another.

Expert advice suggests that beyond technical settings, a shift in user behaviour is the most effective line of defence. By limiting the granular details of their private lives online, residents can significantly reduce their exposure to identity theft and physical security breaches.