UAE court orders Dh50,000 compensation for social media insults

Dubai: A man has been ordered to pay Dh50,000 in compensation after hurling insults at another man on social media, in a case that underscores how online words can carry heavy real-world consequences, according to a report in Al Khaleej Arabic newspaper.

The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court ruled that the defendant caused moral harm to the plaintiff by defaming and insulting him online and must also bear all legal costs and related expenses. The incident unfolded after the plaintiff filed a complaint over online slander, which initially resulted in a Dh10,000 criminal fine levied against the accused. That ruling prompted the plaintiff to pursue a separate civil lawsuit, demanding Dh200,000 in damages for what he described as harm to his dignity, reputation, and emotional wellbeing.

In its ruling, the civil court cited the finality of the previous criminal verdict as proof of wrongdoing. It affirmed that the defendant’s actions caused tangible moral damage to the plaintiff’s status and feelings — harm deemed serious enough to warrant financial redress. “The court finds that the defendant’s fault has been conclusively established, and this fault directly resulted in the damages suffered by the complainant,” the ruling stated.

While the plaintiff had sought a larger compensation sum, the court awarded Dh50,000, concluding that it was a fair reflection of the moral harm sustained. The case highlights the growing legal weight of digital behaviour in the UAE, where courts increasingly treat online misconduct with the same seriousness as physical or verbal abuse in public settings.