Financial Crime World

Jordan Introduces Tougher Cybercrime Laws to Combat Online Threats

Amman, August 13, 2023 - Jordan has taken a significant step in combating cybercrime by ratifying Law No. 17 of 2023, which was published in the official gazette on August 13, 2023. The new law aims to penalize perpetrators of various online crimes with imprisonment and fines.

Penalties for Unauthorized Access

  • Individuals who gain unauthorized access to information networks or systems will be punished with:
    • One week to three months’ imprisonment
    • A fine of 300 to 600 Jordanian dinars (approximately US$423 to $846), or both penalties
  • If the unauthorized access is used to cancel, delete, add, destroy, disclose, publish, reproduce, block, modify, transmit, copy, or breach confidentiality, the penalty increases to:
    • One to three years’ imprisonment
    • A fine of 3,000 to 15,000 dinars (approximately US$4,231 to $21,157), or both penalties

Creating False Social Media Accounts

  • Individuals who create false social media accounts, attributing them to natural or legal persons will be punished with:
    • At least three months’ imprisonment
    • A fine of 1,500 to 15,000 dinars (approximately US$2,116 to $21,157), or both penalties

Hacking and Online Payment Fraud

  • Anyone found guilty of hacking an information technology network related to a government entity can face:
    • Five years’ imprisonment at hard labor
    • A fine of 15,000 to 45,000 dinars (approximately US$21,157 to $63,470)

Online Pornography

  • Disseminating online pornography is punishable by:
    • Imprisonment for not less than six months
    • A fine of 3,000 to 6,000 dinars (approximately US$4,231 to $8,463)
  • If the offense targets individuals younger than 18 years old, the penalty increases to:
    • One year’s imprisonment
    • A fine of 6,000 to 15,000 dinars (approximately US$8,463 to $21,157)

Disseminating False News, Hate Speech, and Insulting Religious Beliefs

  • Anyone found guilty can face:
    • Imprisonment for not less than three months
    • A fine of 5,000 to 20,000 dinars (approximately US$7,052 to $28,209), or both penalties

Conclusion

The new law aims to protect Jordan’s citizens from the growing threat of cybercrime and ensure that online activities are carried out in a safe and responsible manner.