If you go to another country, you should be aware of their laws. If you don't like their laws, don't go. Personally, I've never understood Dubai's "charms". Is is Earth's Mos Eisley [1]. The legal system is completely corrupt and The economy is reliant upon slave labor [2].

For example, in Thailand it's a crime to step on the local currency [3]. Why? Because it's technically disrespecting the King, whose face is on the notes. Or in Japan, it's strictly illegal to bring adderall into the country under any circumstances [4].

I guess my point is that I really struggle to find sympathy for people who go to another country and act surprised that it's different to their home country.

The UAE's restrictions on spreading such images as hurting national security actually goes beyond that. Did you know that it's now illegal to criticize Israel in the UAE [5]?

Speaking of which, the US really isn't that much different on that last point [6].

[1]: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Mos_Eisley

[2]: https://www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/country-studie...

[3]: https://nyccriminallawyer.com/weird-things-to-get-arrested-f...

[4]: https://miusa.org/resource/tip-sheets/japanfocus/

[5]: https://dawnmena.org/how-the-uae-is-suppressing-criticism-of...

[6]: https://www.aclu-nj.org/press-releases/secretary-state-lette...