UAE · Privacy · Consumer AI
UAE warns AI users to check camera and location permissions
Check camera and location permissions on AI apps
UAE urges users to verify camera and location permissions
The United Arab Emirates has warned people who use artificial intelligence apps to carefully check permission requests before allowing access to device cameras or location data. The advisory highlights privacy and safety concerns as AI tools become more common on smartphones and other devices.
Authorities say that apps with access to a camera or precise location can collect sensitive images or movement patterns, which could be misused if permissions are overbroad or granted without scrutiny. The notice underscores the need for users to be cautious when an app requests ongoing or background access.
Why it matters: As AI features are integrated into chatbots, image tools and location-aware services, the potential surface for accidental data exposure grows. Users who automatically accept permission prompts risk sharing more than intended — including photos, video feeds or continuous location trails — any of which could compromise personal privacy.
What users should do
Read permission prompts and decline requests that seem unrelated to the app’s function.
Choose limited options such as 'Allow while using the app' instead of 'Always allow'.
Use your device’s privacy settings to review and revoke camera or location permissions.
Avoid granting camera or location access to unfamiliar or untrusted apps.
Keep apps and your operating system updated to benefit from security improvements.
Developers should adopt privacy-by-design and request only essential permissions.
The advisory is aimed at consumers across the UAE and has implications for app developers, businesses and organizations that deploy AI features. Developers are reminded to minimize permission requests and explain why data is needed; users are encouraged to audit installed apps and remove or restrict ones that request unnecessary access.
The advisory is particularly timely given the rapid uptake of AI features: millions of users across the region interact with AI each day, and making permission checks routine can prevent accidental oversharing. Users should periodically audit installed apps and remove ones that no longer require camera or location access.
Companies and developers that build AI-driven experiences should request only the permissions necessary for a feature to work, explain why access is needed in clear terms, and avoid designs that rely on continuous background camera or location monitoring unless strictly necessary. If an app behaves suspiciously, report it to the app store or vendor.
Read the original Gulf News advisory here:
Takeaway: Regularly reviewing app permissions and maintaining good privacy hygiene will reduce the risk of unwanted data exposure as AI capabilities spread across devices.
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