Latest news with #UAEMediaCouncil
Campaign ME
3 hours ago
- Business
- Campaign ME
UAE Media Council launches Advertiser Permit for social media content creators
The UAE Media Council has launched an official Advertiser Permit required for individuals who publish promotional content on social media platforms, whether their content is paid or unpaid. The Advertiser Permit seeks to enhance the quality of content, increase the sector's attractiveness for investment, and attract skilled professionals and creative talents in content creation. The application process for the advertiser permit is now live on the UAE Media Council's official page. The permit also aims to safeguard the rights of both members of the society and content creators by introducing clear mechanisms for regulating advertising activity, thereby reinforcing the principles of transparency and professionalism, and cementing the UAE's position as a leading hub for advertising content production. Timelines for compliance with the Advertiser Permit regulations Her Excellency Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policy Sector at the UAE Media Council, shared that the permit will come into effect in three months. This will give social media content creators sufficient time to align their status and obtain the necessary approvals to ensure compliance with the new regulations. The permit will be mandatory for all individuals working in the digital advertising space. HE Al Suwaidi added that the permit will be granted free of charge for the first three years, and that existing valid permits will remain effective until expiry, with renewal applications available thereafter. She called on companies and institutions to engage only with individuals licensed by the Council, in line with professional standards and to ensure the quality of advertising content and protect public interest. Obligations of those acquiring the permit Pursuant to the decision, the account holder is required not to violate media content standards. The permit number must be clearly displayed on social media accounts and platforms. No advertisement may be published except through an account registered with the Council and linked to the permit granted to the permit holder. The account holder must not allow any other person or party to advertise through the account registered with the Council. Approval must be obtained from the relevant authorities prior to publishing the advertisement, whenever the relevant legislation requires such approval. Exemptions for the Advertiser Permit The UAE Media Council also shared that certain exemptions to the advertiser permit. This includes: Individual who promotes a product or service of their own or a company they own through their personal account, Individuals under the age of 18 who engage in educational, athletic, cultural, or awareness activities, provided that the activity aligns with the age classification prescribed under the relevant legislation. Visitor Advertiser Permit The new framework requires visiting content creators to apply for a Visitor Advertiser Permit. The applicant must be registered as a Visitor Advertiser through a licensed advertising or talent management agency authorised to operate in the UAE and approved by the Council. The Visitor Advertiser Permit will be valid for three months, renewable once for an additional three months. HE Al Suwaidi also confirmed that Visitor Advertiser Permits will be activated in parallel with the full implementation in three months, with the official list of approved advertising and talent agencies to be announced at a later stage. A transformational milestone His Excellency Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, stated that the launch of the Advertiser Permit marks a pivotal step in evolving the regulatory ecosystem for advertising activities across digital platforms. It reflects the Council's vision of building an integrated media model that aligns with digital advancements and strengthens media governance by establishing clear standards that protect public rights and define responsible, professional relationships between content creators, advertisers and audiences. He noted that the permit contributes to building a media environment rooted in transparency and credibility, by outlining clear guidelines for advertising practices that bolster user trust and align with the ongoing shifts in the digital media space. HE Al Shehhi emphasised that the UAE has successfully positioned itself as a global platform for content creators, leveraging a flexible legislative framework, advanced infrastructure, and a regulatory environment that fosters innovation and competitiveness — making the country a top destination for creatives and digital professionals from around the world. HE Al Shehhi said, 'We are committed to supporting the content economy as a vital component of the future economy and a key driver of growth in the digital era. We believe creative talent is the cornerstone of this rapidly growing sector, both locally and globally.' He added, 'That's why we are focused on updating legislation and launching strategic initiatives that foster an enabling environment for individuals and companies, while strengthening the sector's contribution to the national economy in alignment with the UAE's future vision and ambitions.'
UAE Moments
5 hours ago
- Business
- UAE Moments
UAE Launches Advertiser Permit for Social Media Users
In a landmark move, the UAE Media Council announced the launch of a mandatory Advertiser Permit for anyone posting promotional content on social media—whether paid or unpaid. This new regulation takes effect three months from its announcement on July 30, 2025, giving content creators a grace period to register and comply. The new regulation applies to individuals, including influencers, freelancers, or anyone promoting products or services via their social media accounts in the UAE. The permit covers both paid and unpaid content, such as sponsorships, product mentions, or shout-outs. Two groups of people are exempt from this are users promoting their own products or business via personal accounts and m inors (under 18) sharing educational, cultural, athletic, or awareness content aligned with age-specific classification rules. Non-resident creators must secure a Visitor Advertiser Permit through a licensed advertising or talent agency. The permit for visitors will be valid for three months, renewable once for an additional term. Visitor permits will be activated within three months of launch. The permit will be issued free of charge for the first three years. Content creators must display their permit number clearly on their social media accounts. These accounts cannot be used by anyone else for advertising purposes. Businesses and institutions are encouraged to engage only with licensed permits to ensure professional standards and compliance. Failure to comply may trigger fines, potential license revocations, or account suspension under existing UAE media laws.
Gulf Today
6 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE launches Advertiser Permit for content creators to publish promotional matter on social media
The UAE Media Council has announced the launch of the Advertiser Permit for individuals who publish promotional content on social media platforms, whether their content is paid or unpaid. This initiative is part of an integrated framework aimed at creating a flexible regulatory environment that keeps pace with the rapid evolution of the media industry. It seeks to enhance content quality, increase the sector's attractiveness for investment, and attract skilled professionals and creative talents in content creation. The permit also aims to safeguard the rights of both society and content creators by introducing clear mechanisms for regulating advertising activity, thereby reinforcing the principles of transparency and professionalism, and cementing the UAE's position as a leading hub for advertising content production. Pivotal step Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, stated that the launch of the Advertiser Permit marks a pivotal step in evolving the regulatory ecosystem for advertising activities across digital platforms. It reflects the council's vision of building an integrated media model that aligns with digital advancements and strengthens media governance by establishing clear standards that protect public rights and define responsible, professional relationships between content creators, advertisers, and audiences. He noted that the permit contributes to building a media environment rooted in transparency and credibility, by outlining clear guidelines for advertising practices that bolster user trust and align with the ongoing shifts in the digital media space. Al Shehhi emphasised that the UAE has successfully positioned itself as a global platform for content creators, leveraging a flexible legislative framework, advanced infrastructure, and a regulatory environment that fosters innovation and competitiveness – making the country a top destination for creatives and digital professionals from around the world. Al Shehhi added, "We are committed to supporting the content economy as a vital component of the future economy and a key driver of growth in the digital era. We believe creative talent is the cornerstone of this rapidly growing sector, both locally and globally. That's why we are focused on updating legislation and launching strategic initiatives that foster an enabling environment for individuals and companies, while strengthening the sector's contribution to the national economy in alignment with the UAE's future vision and ambitions.' Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policy Sector at the UAE Media Council, explained that the Advertiser Permit is a regulatory step designed to empower content creators and improve the quality of advertisements shared across digital platforms. She added that the permit will come into effect in three months, giving content creators sufficient time to align their status and obtain the necessary approvals to ensure compliance with the new regulations. The permit will be mandatory for all individuals working in the digital advertising space. Free permits for the first 3 years Al Suwaidi further noted that the permit will be granted free of charge for the first three years, and that existing valid permits will remain effective until expiry, with renewal applications available thereafter. She called on companies and institutions to engage only with individuals licensed by the council, in line with professional standards and to ensure the quality of advertising content and protect public interest. Visitor Advertiser Permits Al Suwaidi also confirmed that Visitor Advertiser Permits will be activated in parallel with the full implementation in three months, with the official list of approved advertising and talent agencies to be announced at a later stage. Exempt from obtaining the Advertiser Permit is any individual who promotes a product or service of their own or a company they own through their personal account, as well as individuals under the age of 18 who engage in educational, athletic, cultural, or awareness activities, provided the activity aligns with the age classification prescribed under the relevant legislation. Pursuant to the decision, the account holder is required not to violate media content standards. The permit number must be clearly displayed on social media accounts and platforms. No advertisement may be published except through an account registered with the council and linked to the permit granted to the permit holder. The account holder must not allow any other person or party to advertise through the account registered with the council. Approval must be obtained from the relevant authorities prior to publishing the advertisement, whenever the relevant legislation requires such approval. The new framework requires visiting content creators to apply for a Visitor Advertiser Permit. The applicant must be registered as a Visitor Advertiser through a licensed advertising or talent management agency authorised to operate in the UAE and approved by the council. The Visitor Advertiser Permit will be valid for three months, renewable once for an additional three months. WAM
Time Out Abu Dhabi
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
There's a new advertiser permit in the UAE for social media: Here's why you might need it to avoid a fine
The UAE just made a major move in shaping the future of social media advertising. Starting three months from now, anyone posting promotional content – paid or not – will need an official 'advertiser permit' from the UAE Media Council. So yes, even if you're giving your best friend's café a shoutout or casually dropping a discount code on stories, you'll need to be licensed. This new rule applies to influencers, content creators and anyone working in digital advertising across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat. The goal? To support the growing content economy and raise the standard of digital ads in the UAE, while also keeping things transparent and professional. The Advertiser Permit will be free for the first three years and will come into effect after a three-month grace period. This allows content creators sufficient time to regularize their status and obtain the necessary approvals to ensure compliance with the approved standards.… — مجلس الإمارات للإعلام (@uaemediacouncil) July 30, 2025 What is the advertiser permit exactly? The permit – rolled out by the UAE Media Council – is free for the first three years. It's mandatory for any individual creating promotional content, whether they're being paid or not. Users will need to display their licence number clearly on their social media accounts and cannot allow others to advertise through their registered profiles. In short: if you're promoting, you need a permit and it has to be linked directly to your account. Visitor permits are also in the works and will be valid for three months, but they'll require registration through a licensed agency. Who doesn't need it? There are a few exceptions. If you're promoting your own product or company through your personal account, you're off the hook. Also exempt are minors under 18, provided their content is educational, cultural, athletic, or awareness-related. A new chapter in creator culture This isn't the UAE's first foray into influencer regulation. Back in 2018, the country introduced a licence requirement for influencers earning money online. And earlier this year, Abu Dhabi made it mandatory for paid content creators to get a permit specific to the emirate – or face a Dhs10,000 fine. But this latest update takes things further by covering free promotions too, marking a new era of accountability for the region's booming creator economy. With a three-month grace period in place, creators and advertisers alike have time to get their paperwork in order. So if you're planning on living that #ad life in the UAE, it's time to get compliant. Summer in Abu Dhabi The 27 best things to do indoors this summer in Abu Dhabi It's time for some air-conditioned bliss Psst: This is when summer officially ends in Abu Dhabi No complaints here 25 brilliant beach and pool day passes in Abu Dhabi Grab your SPF – a lush day by the water awaits
TECHx
7 hours ago
- Business
- TECHx
UAE Media Council Launches Advertiser Permit System
Home » Smart Sectors » UAE Media Council Launches Advertiser Permit System The UAE Media Council has announced the launch of the Advertiser Permit for individuals who publish promotional content on social media platforms. The permit applies to both paid and unpaid content. This initiative is part of an integrated framework designed to create a flexible regulatory environment. It aims to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the media industry, improve content quality, and attract investment and creative professionals. The permit also seeks to protect the rights of society and content creators by introducing clear regulations for advertising activities. It reinforces transparency, professionalism, and the UAE's position as a regional hub for advertising content production. Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, revealed that the permit marks a pivotal step in evolving the advertising regulatory ecosystem. It supports the council's vision of an integrated media model that aligns with digital advancements and strengthens governance. Al Shehhi emphasized the importance of building a transparent and credible media environment. The new guidelines aim to bolster public trust and adapt to changes in the digital media space. He noted that the UAE has established itself as a global platform for content creators through its advanced infrastructure, flexible legislation, and innovation-driven environment. Al Shehhi stated, 'We are committed to supporting the content economy as a key driver of growth in the digital era. Creative talent is the cornerstone of this sector.' He added that the council will continue updating legislation and launching strategic initiatives to boost the sector's contribution to the national economy, in line with the UAE's long-term vision. Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Strategy and Media Policy Sector at the UAE Media Council, reported that the Advertiser Permit is a regulatory step to empower content creators and enhance advertisement quality. The permit will take effect in three months. Content creators must align their status and obtain the necessary approvals to comply with the new regulations. Key points: The permit is mandatory for all individuals in digital advertising. It will be free of charge for the first three years. Existing valid permits remain active until expiry, with renewal available later. Al Suwaidi urged companies and institutions to work only with individuals licensed by the council. This ensures content quality and protects the public interest. She also confirmed that Visitor Advertiser Permits will be introduced simultaneously. A list of approved advertising and talent agencies will be announced later. Exemptions include individuals promoting their own products or services and those under 18 involved in educational, cultural, athletic, or awareness content—provided it meets legislative age classifications. According to the decision, advertisers must: Display their permit number clearly on social media accounts. Ensure all ads are posted through council-registered accounts. Not allow others to advertise through their registered accounts. Approvals from relevant authorities are required before publishing ads, if mandated by law. Visiting content creators must apply for a Visitor Advertiser Permit. They must register through a licensed agency approved by the council. The permit will be valid for three months and can be renewed once for an additional three months.
