Abu Dhabi cracks down on fake news and rumours online

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department and the Abu Dhabi Police on Wednesday warned the public against spreading false news and rumours through traditional or social media. The authorities warned violators could face severe legal consequences including imprisonment and substantial fines.

In an official statement posted on its account on X (formerly Twitter), the Judicial Department cited Article 52 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes, stating that the law prohibits the dissemination of misleading, malicious, or inaccurate information through any digital platform.

The law mandates a minimum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of no less than Dh100,000 for anyone who uses digital tools to spread false or provocative content that contradicts official statements or incites public anxiety, harms national interests, or disrupts public order and health.

Harsher penalties

The penalties escalate significantly in aggravated cases. If the false content stirs public unrest against state institutions or occurs during a crisis, epidemic, or emergency, the punishment increases to a minimum of two years in prison and a fine of at least Dh200,000.

Police call for vigilance

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Police urged residents to verify information through credible, official sources before sharing it. In a post shared via official social media channels, the police stated that circulating false news violates “the values of positive citizenship and social responsibility.”

They also highlighted the community’s role in safeguarding public security by rejecting and reporting misinformation.

Digital protection

According to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, the federal law which came into effect on Jan. 2, 2022, provides a robust legal framework to address a broad spectrum of cybercrimes.

Digital bots

The law also criminalises using digital bots to spread false information, as well as hosting or managing websites involved in illegal activities such as human trafficking or promoting firearms.

Authorities reiterated the importance of public awareness in the fight against misinformation, urging citizens and residents to act responsibly online and report any suspicious or misleading content to the relevant authorities.