The Federal Public Prosecution is set to prosecute a group of social media users found to have breached media content standards, the National Media Office (NMO) confirmed on Tuesday, August 26.
Authorities said the case was uncovered through their continuous monitoring system, which operates around the clock to detect online violations. Officials stressed that such measures are part of wider efforts to maintain a responsible digital environment and shield communities from harmful or misleading content.
The NMO urged residents to exercise caution when using social media, reminding them to uphold ethical standards and comply with both platform rules and national laws. In March, the office had already called on users to adhere to values of respect, tolerance, and coexistence—warning that legal action would be taken against anyone who disregards these principles.
Under UAE law, online insults or defamatory remarks carry serious consequences. Article 43 of the Cybercrime Law penalizes anyone who publicly insults another person or causes harm to their dignity, with possible imprisonment and fines. The Penal Code also provides punishments of up to one year in jail or fines reaching Dh20,000, which may rise to two years or Dh50,000 in aggravated cases.
More stringent penalties are outlined in Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021, amended by Law No. 5 of 2024, where offenders can face jail terms and fines ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000 for online insults or defamation.
