Sharjah Police warn against circulating unverified content

Sharjah: When tensions rise around the world, something else rises with them — the volume of our phones.

A vibration. A forwarded message. A dramatic video clip. A voice note warning of something urgent. Within seconds, information spreads across screens, neighbourhoods and borders. But not all of it is true.

In times of heightened global tension, misinformation often travels faster than facts. Anonymous messages multiply across social media platforms, while old videos resurface, repackaged and shared as if they show current events.

Some of these posts cause unnecessary anxiety. Others create confusion and weaken community cohesion. Most concerning is that well-meaning people may unknowingly help spread false information simply by resharing unverified content.

Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Al Midfa of the Media and Security Awareness Department at Sharjah Police said reliable information comes only from clear, credible and official sources. Circulating rumours not only misleads the public but may also expose those who share them to legal consequences.

As digital platforms continue to shape public conversation, individual responsibility has never been more important. Residents are urged to pause before posting, verify before sharing, and rely only on trusted official channels for updates.

At times like these, awareness and accountability are not optional — they are essential to protecting community security and maintaining public trust.

Lieutenant Colonel Al Midfa stressed that official information comes only from recognised government entities and authorised channels.

Anonymous messages, posts forwarded multiple times, or claims vaguely attributed to “a friend of a friend” should be questioned — not circulated.

Before sharing, residents are encouraged to ask:

Choosing not to forward unverified content is not silence — it is civic responsibility.

Spreading false news or rumours in a way that incites public opinion against state authorities — especially during crises or disasters — can carry serious penalties. Offenders may face a minimum of two years’ imprisonment and a fine of Dh200,000.