Cyber Law and Online Behavior Compliance

Posting offensive language or picture on social media will put you in jail.

UAE’s Federal Law No 5 of 2012, also known as the Cyber Crimes law states that individuals can be prosecuted for publishing pictures of individuals without their consent, as well as making offensive statements about them.

Individuals who disrespect Islam and make statements that breach good morals and conduct may also face legal punishment. Individuals can be prosecuted for making statements that are disrespectful towards Islam, morals and good conduct.
These include posting comments or images that ‘encourage sin’, slander another person or breach the privacy of individuals — including taking photographs or publishing information about another without their permission.

According to the UAE’s official Federal Decree Law No (5) on combating cyber crimes, it is illegal to invade someone’s privacy by “photographing others or creating, transferring, disclosing, copying or saving electronic photos [in addition to] publishing news, electronic photos or photographs, scenes, comments, statements or information” without permission.

Making slanderous statements and insulting others can be punishable by imprisonment, a fine, and even deportation.

Members of the public are urged to report any wrongdoing to authorities, and to show the police documented evidence they may have of the crime, without posting the information online.