Dh500,000 fine, 5 years in jail for 7 types of online content that are banned in UAE

If you are in the habit of spreading fake information on social media or jumping on the bandwagon of trolling without verifying, you better stop doing so in the UAE.

In the UAE, you could get fined for spreading misinformation, rumors, or defaming someone online can land you in severe conflict in the country.

The Emirates has recently been imposing severe rules on the use of social media in the country.

From July 2024, Abu Dhabi formed a law where social media influencers and establishments retained in advertising and granting advertising services without a license will be penalized.

7 types of content to avoid

Here are seven things you must stop doing on social media to value the norms and laws of the nation:

1. Criticizing or attacking the President of UAE or the Rulers of the Emirates; or condemning or attacking the country’s system of governance or inflicting harm to the higher interests of the state.
2. Causing harm to the economic system of the country by spreading rumors or sharing distorted news.
3. Posting opinions that damage public morals, insult minors, or promote destructive principles.
4. Altering discussions or public sessions of courts or regulatory bodies in the country.
5. Intentionally spreading false news, fake or fabricated documents, or falsely ascribing them to others.
6. Criticizing the actions of a public official or a person in a public representative position.

You could be heavily punished and fined up to Dh500,000 and detained for up to 5 years for publishing information, news, visual materials, or rumors online to deride or harm the reputation, prestige, or status of the country.