Imprisonment, up to Dh1m fine for spreading rumours in the UAE

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Dubai: Social media is a powerful tool that allows people to stay connected and share news. But, without the verification of facts, it can become increasingly difficult to suppress the spread of rumours and misinformation. In the UAE, spreading rumours and fake news is punishable by law.

What is the fine for spreading rumours in the UAE?

Article 198 of the Federal Penal Code as well as Article 29 of the UAE’s Cybercrimes Law stipulate the penalty for spreading fake news and rumours.

According to Article 198 of the UAE’s Federal Penal Code, a person guilty of spreading rumours “shall be sentenced to detention”, specifically “whoever deliberately diffuses false or tendentious news, information or rumours, or spreads provocative propaganda.”

The Dubai Public Prosecution has warned that people who forward false information online can be jailed for up to a year.

The UAE Public Prosecution has also campaigned against the spreading of rumours and have emphasised on the need for referring to official sources to verify news.

Article 198 (bis)

Any person who intentionally disseminates false or malicious news, statements or rumours or disruptive propaganda intending to prejudice the public security, or to spread fear among people or to inflict damage to public interest, shall be punished by a jail sentence for no less than one year.

The UAE updated their laws on cybercrimes in 2012, by issuing the Federal Law No. 5 of 2012 on Combatting Cybercrimes. Article 29 of this law states: “Shall be punished by temporary imprisonment and a fine not in excess of Dh1 million, whoever publishes information, news, statements or rumours on a website or any computer network or information technology means with intent to make sarcasm or damage the reputation, prestige or stature of the State or any of its institutions or its president, vice-president, any of the rulers of the Emirates, their crown princes, or the deputy rulers of the Emirates, the State flag, the national peace, its logo, national anthem or any of its symbols.”

In March 2020, the Dubai Public Prosecution posted a video on its official social media channels, warning people of the harmful effects of spreading rumours, which include undermining the stability of the community, creating a negative effect, impacting public security and harming public interests.