UAE: Disclosing confidential work information could leave you with a Dh1 million fine
UAE Public Prosecution posts awareness message on social media
Dubai: If you are working in the UAE, it is important to be careful of the information you share about your work with others.
The UAE Public Prosecution posted an awareness message on its official social media channels, educating people about the implications of disclosing confidential work-related information.
People caught disclosing without authorisation online confidential information obtained in the course of, or due to employment, can face jail and up to Dh1 million in fines.
Cybercrimes law
This is as per the articles of Federal Law no. 5 for 2012, also known as the UAE Cybercrimes Law.
Article 22 of the law states that violators “shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of at least six months and a fine not less than Dh500,000 and not in excess of Dh1million or either of these two penalties whoever uses, without authorisation, any computer network, website or information technology means to disclose confidential information which he has obtained in the course of or because of his work.”
The Cybercrimes Law also covers crimes like online defamation, cyber extortion and hate speech.
The law also makes it illegal to disclose any information obtained by electronic means, if such information was obtained in an unauthorised manner.