AED1 million fine for spreading rumours in UAE
Staff Report
DUBAI – Think twice before you post or share information on Twitter, Facebook or any social media.
The UAE has made it a criminal offense to spread rumours deemed “damaging [to] social peace and public order” and causing damage to “national peace”.
Under the UAE law, offenders face imprisonment and a civil fine not exceeding AED1 million.
The law covers forwarded chain mail, retweeted or shared information on Twitter or Facebook that promotes wrong information, spreads malice or causes people to panic.
“The UAE authorities will seriously deal with false news spread via social media harming UAE society,” said Lt. Colonel Awad Saleh Al Kindi of the Ministry of Interior.
Al Kindi encouraged UAE residents to educate themselves first and verify any information that they receive before sharing it to others.
