Brief
Dubai Police warn deepfakes could undermine digital security
The study, released during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, highlights rising risks to public safety and digital evidence.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Dubai Police's Future Foresight Centre released a study warning that deepfake technologies could become the next major cybersecurity challenge, shifting focus from spotting fake content to proving the authenticity of genuine material. The report, published on 10 October 2026, coincides with Cybersecurity Awareness Month and supports the Ministry of Interior’s ‘Safe UAE Through Your Digital Awareness’ campaign, which the police run with the Dubai Electronic Security Center.
Expert Brigadier Dr Hamdan Ahmad Hamdan Al Ghassiya, director of the centre, said advances in generative AI now allow realistic replication of faces, voices, videos and audio recordings. He explained that such capabilities could enable sophisticated identity theft, impersonation, fraud, digital deception and information manipulation, posing challenges for individuals, businesses and security organisations tasked with digital verification and evidence assessment.
The study cites the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026, which ranks misinformation and disinformation as the second‑most significant global risk for the next two years. Al Ghassiya said this reflects growing concerns about the integrity of the information environment as AI makes convincing manipulation more accessible.
Key findings include the need for proactive measures to safeguard digital evidence, the importance of public awareness about deepfake threats, and the call for new verification tools that can establish trust in authentic media. The report also outlines emerging opportunities for security authorities to develop standards and technologies that can counteract deepfake misuse.
Key facts
- Dubai Police Future Foresight Centre issued a study on deepfake threats on 10 October 2026. (gulfnews.com)
- The study warns that future cybersecurity challenges may shift from detecting fakes to proving authenticity of genuine content. (gulfnews.com)
- World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 ranks misinformation as the second‑most significant global risk for the next two years. (gulfnews.com)
- Brigadier Dr Hamdan Ahmad Hamdan Al Ghassiya highlighted risks such as identity theft, fraud and digital deception. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Dubai Police study warns of deepfake threats to digital security”
