Photo Credit : WAM
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has stepped up its fight against online piracy, blocking 13,667 violating websites in the first quarter of 2026. The figure marks a nearly 400 percent increase compared to the same period last year, pushing the total number of blocked sites to 47,667 since the launch of the InstaBlock Lab in February 2025.
The campaign is part of the InstaBlock initiative, which uses artificial intelligence to monitor digital platforms in real time and act quickly against copyright violations in creative content and broadcasting.
Dr Abdulrahman Hassan Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector, said the results reflect the UAE’s strong commitment to protecting intellectual property while building a secure digital ecosystem that supports innovation and global competitiveness.
The ministry coordinated with the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority and several key stakeholders, including Abu Dhabi Media Network, MBC Shahid, OSN, Yango Play, STARZPLAY, the Brand Owner Council and Nissan Middle East.
Enforcement efforts intensified during Ramadan, when digital consumption rises sharply. The number of blocked websites during the holy month has grown significantly, from 62 in 2023 to 1,117 in 2024, 2,217 in 2025 and 5,677 in 2026.
Beyond enforcement, the ministry also focused on raising awareness about accessing content through legal and licensed platforms. Officials said the initiative supports the national We the UAE 2031 vision, aimed at strengthening the knowledge economy and enhancing the country’s global position in digital content protection.
