Severe Fines and Penalties for Publishing Offensive Material Online in UAE
UAE’s government will tolerate posted material that could compromise authority, economy or peace.
The UAE is ensuring that citizens, residents, expats and visitors abide by the law of the land, especially where publishing certain types of critical or offensive material online is concerned. Those who enjoy the many freedoms and privileges of the Gulf nation should also beware not to hurt the sentiments of its institutions and authorities. They must, in effect, steer clear of besmirching the reputation or credibility of the same.
Coming in the wake of Bangladeshi expats who ran rampant across the UAE due to unrest back home, these following norms attain particular significance. And the 7 rules are backed up by a warning of fines up to AED 500,000 or a prison term of 5 years. This is hardly surprising given that the country is dedicated to law enforcement for maintaining peace, prosperity and harmony within its borders.
1) Verbally attacking or criticising the UAE’s President, any of the Emirate’s Rulers, governance or endangering the higher interests of the nation.
2) Proliferating rumours or misinformation designed to destabilise the UAE’s economic system.
3) Putting up views that breach public morals, insult juveniles or propagate destructive principles.
4) Advertising online without obtaining the proper licence.
5) Demonstrating behaviour in contempt of court or disrupting the operation of regulatory bodies.
6) Disseminating false news or bogus documents or falsely attributing them to another party.
7) Criticising the actions of a public official or a public representative.
