Dubai: Dubai Police has emphasized the strict legal consequences for individuals involved in online insult, defamation, or slander. The Article (43) of Federal Decree Law No. (34) of 2021 on Countering Rumors and Cybercrimes, anyone found guilty faces severe penalties.
The law states that anyone who insults, defames, or uses offensive language against another person through digital means is subject to both criminal and financial penalties. The punishments include;
Imprisonment: Individuals convicted under this article may face jail time, depending on the severity and nature of the offense.
Fines: Offenders could be fined between AED 250,000 ($68,064.25) and AED 500,000 ($136,128.32), depending on the extent of the insult, defamation, or harm caused.
Additional Penalties: In cases where the defamation targets public officials or bodies, stricter penalties can be imposed, and repeat offenses may result in more severe consequences.
Dubai Police was reminding of the after effects of violating the article on X by asking everyone if they know what will happen and later explaining them with the details of the article.
To view the legal terms and conditions of this article, refer to the image below.#legalawareness pic.twitter.com/z6jWkO7FbU
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) September 27, 2024
This law is aimed at protecting individuals from online abuse and maintaining digital civility, reflecting the UAE’s broader commitment to safeguarding reputations and ensuring responsible online behavior. Dubai Police actively enforce this law and encourage victims to report any incidents of defamation or slander through digital platforms.
Offenders using online platforms, social media, or other digital means to target individuals may also face additional civil lawsuits for damages. Dubai Police consistently monitors online activity, encouraging victims to report any instances of cyber harassment or defamation to their dedicated platforms for swift action.
Recently, Dubai Police had spread awareness about sharing personal information on AI chatbots for different uses as they carry substantial risks. These chatbots, can collect and store a significant amount of personal data and this data can be stored, analyzed, and potentially misused, infringing on the privacy of others. Excessive reliance on chatbots may result in sharing personal or sensitive information without verifying its accuracy or considering the potential consequences. And Dubai Police also suggests everyone to use AI responsibly.