Financial Crime World

New Cyber Crime Law in UAE: Stiff Penalties for Online Offences

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has recently introduced a new cyber crime law aimed at curbing online illegal activities and punishing those who engage in them. The law outlines stiff penalties for various offences committed through electronic sites.

Gambling and Pornographic Materials

Individuals found guilty of publishing or promoting gambling and pornographic materials online will face:

  • Imprisonment
  • A fine of not less than AED 250,000 and not exceeding AED 500,000
  • Longer prison term of at least one year and a fine of AED 500,000 to AED 1 million if the content features a juvenile or is designed to tempt minors

Defamation

Those who use electronic sites to insult others or attribute false information to someone else will be punished with:

  • Imprisonment
  • A fine of not less than AED 250,000 and not exceeding AED 500,000
  • Insulting public employees is considered an aggravating circumstance that can increase the severity of the punishment

Contempt of Religion

The law prohibits any individual from using electronic sites to display contempt for holy symbols, characters, figures, and rituals of Islam or other religions. Those found guilty will face:

  • Imprisonment
  • A fine of not less than AED 250,000 and not exceeding AED 1 million

Human Trafficking

Establishing, operating, or supervising an electronic site for human trafficking is punishable by:

  • Temporary imprisonment
  • A fine of not less than AED 500,000 and not exceeding AED 1 million
  • This is an increase from the previous penalty of temporary detainment

Sedition, Sectarianism, and Harming National Unity

Individuals who create or run electronic sites to promote disorder, hate, racism, or sectarianism will face punishment for damaging national unity, social peace, public order, and public decency.

Weapon Trade and Terrorist Activities

Operating an electronic site for the purpose of promoting or trading weapons, ammunition, or explosives is illegal. Establishing, operating, or supervising a site to support terrorist groups or publish information online for their benefit will also be punished.

Other Offences

The law also criminalizes various other online activities, including:

  • Collecting donations without a license
  • Publishing information that poses threats to state security and public order
  • Engaging in unauthorized trade of antiquities and works of art
  • Unlawfully facilitating the use of communication services or audio and visual transmission channels online
  • Promoting narcotics and psychotropic drugs
  • Money laundering

The new cyber crime law aims to protect individuals, society, and the country from the negative impacts of online activities. Those found guilty of these offences will face stiff penalties that reflect the gravity of their actions.