News

Dubai Police Launch Dh223,000 Cybersecurity Contest

The “Capture the Flag” challenge and new cyber platform are part of a wider push on digital safety within the Emirate.

Published

1 year ago

October 1, 2025

Nour Nasir

dubai police launch dh223000 cybersecurity contest

Emirates News Agency

Dubai Police have unveiled a new Dh223,000 hacking contest, putting students and professionals through their paces during Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The “Capture the Flag” challenge is split into three tracks: school students competing for Dh40,000, university entrants for Dh78,000, and professionals for Dh95,000. Online qualifiers run from October 5 until the end of the month, with finalists meeting at the Dubai Police Officers’ Club on October 25-26. Officers said the aim is to surface talent in penetration testing that could bolster future security efforts.

The competition comes as demand for skilled cybersecurity specialists continues to climb across the region. Governments and private firms alike are turning to ethical hackers to stress-test networks, with the UAE positioning itself as a training ground for digital defense.

The contest is only one element of a broader campaign. Police are staging dialogue sessions, workshops for schools and universities, and a forum for businesses to sharpen awareness. The Protection Centre “Hemyah,” better known for programs on drugs or bullying, has shifted focus this month to online threats.

A new digital portal, ecrimehub, went live alongside the campaign. It offers guides on common scams, a library of 60 awareness videos, and an AI assistant that police say can answer questions with near-perfect accuracy. Users can upload screenshots for instant fraud checks. Weekly quizzes will add a public engagement element, with prizes for winners at month’s end.

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“On the ecrimehub website, technology meets public safety in an innovative way,” explained Major Engineer Khalil Al Hosani, Acting Deputy Director of the Cybercrime and Artificial Intelligence Crimes Department.

Police stressed that fraud reports submitted through the portal are investigated immediately, with suspicious accounts or numbers shut down when possible. The push underscores the UAE’s effort to harden its digital landscape and promote safer use of technology, in line with national strategies to build a secure and resilient society.

Related Topics:Cybersecurity Dubai Dubai Police

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New Disney+ Streaming App Has Officially Launched In The UAE

The app’s recommendations now factor in what’s popular in the UAE, and a dedicated Junior Mode gives kids their own corner of Disney+.

Published

4 days ago

October 9, 2026

Dana Saadeh

Disney

A new Disney+ app has officially launched in the UAE, and subscribers can now keep watching their favorite titles when they travel. Disney+ says access extends across supported markets in Europe, the United States and beyond.

The app is built around a dynamic homepage and simpler navigation, with recommendations drawn from each customer’s viewing habits and what’s popular in the UAE. Content from Hulu and ESPN is now easier to find alongside Disney+’s own library, the company says. Audio and subtitles come in up to 25 languages, and supported devices get high-quality video and sound.

For families, the app includes Junior Mode, a dedicated, simplified version of Disney+ for younger viewers, built around age-appropriate shows and movies. It sits alongside existing controls such as PIN-protected profiles, customizable content ratings and account notifications when a profile is changed.

The catalog still spans Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Hulu and FX. Returning series include Season 8 of “The Kardashians,” Season 23 of “Grey’s Anatomy” and Season 38 of “The Simpsons”. Also on the service are the second season of International Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning series “Rivals,” comedy “Only Murders in the Building,” Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Zootropolis 2” and 20th Century Studios’ “Send Help”.

Also Read: Best Video Streaming Services In The Middle East

Marvel Television’s “VisionQuest” is on the way, and Disney’s live-action “Moana” is due later this autumn. Beyond Hollywood, the Turkish title “Halef” is coming to the platform alongside a lineup of Korean entertainment: Korean-Japanese romantic comedy “Merry Berry Love” is streaming now, and “The Remarried Empress” arrives November 4.

Existing subscribers will be prompted to download the new app and sign in with their current credentials, with on-screen steps covering account confirmation and profile setup. Subscriptions start at AED 49.99 per month and can be canceled at any time.

For UAE subscribers planning to travel, the update will likely be well received, but Disney has left one question open. It confirms Europe and the United States as supported markets but doesn’t yet say which others fall under and beyond.