Authorities in the UAE have issued a firm reminder to social media users: abusive or defamatory comments — whether on posts, videos, audio clips, or live streams — can land violators in jail and subject them to heavy fines, Khaleej Times reported.
The warning follows a surge in reported cases where individuals targeted content creators with personal insults, often unaware that such actions are criminal offences under UAE law.
“Commenting on a public post does not give anyone the right to verbally attack, mock, or humiliate others,” said Colonel Omar Ahmed Abu Al Zawd, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Sharjah Police. He stressed that Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021, as amended by Law No. 5 of 2024, imposes penalties ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000 — and possible imprisonment — for online insults, with harsher punishments if the abuse targets public officials or is widely shared.
Major Abdullah Al Sheihi, acting director of the Cyber Crime Department at Dubai Police, warned that every comment is “recorded, traceable, and can result in legal action,” adding that “saying ‘I didn’t know’ is not a valid legal excuse.”
Legal consultant Wael Obaid of Dubai Courts noted that many defamation cases now stem from replies rather than original posts. Under Article 43 of the cybercrime law and Article 426 of the Penal Code, public insults can lead to jail terms of up to two years and fines reaching Dh50,000 in aggravated cases.
Authorities urge users to avoid responding to content with abuse, reminding the public: if you disagree, scroll past or report it through official channels — because online respect is not optional; it’s the law.
