The UAE’s national cybercrimes legislation was last amended in 2012, but as part of the nation’s legislative reform agenda, Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 Concerning the Fight Against Rumors and Cybercrime has since been repealed and replaced (the New Cybercrimes Law in UAE). In this post, we offer perspective on a number of significant revisions and newly added offenses made by the New Cybercrimes Law.
Read More About: Tax Procedures and Tax Evasion Penalties – TAX in UAE
The most prominent provisions of the new cybercrime law in UAE
access to a website online
In accordance with Federal Law No. 2 of 2006, anyone found guilty of willfully accessing an electronic site illegally will be sentenced to jail time and/or a fine. Article 2 of the New CyberCrime Law in UAE does away with the need for intent and forbids anybody from accessing an electronic site illegally, without authorization, or in excess of the scope of that authorization. It also stipulates an express fine of at least AED 100 and at most AED 300. For changing, copying, deleting, disclosing, and publishing any data or information obtained by breaking into an electronic site illegally and without permission, it stipulates an express penalty of imprisonment for a minimum of six months and/or a fine of not less than AED 150,000 and not more than AED 750,000. The New Cyber Crime Law increases the penalty to a term of imprisonment of not less than one year and/or a fine of not less than AED 250,000 and not more than AED 1,000,000 to the extent that such data or information is personal.
According to Article 4 of the New CyberCrime Law in UAE, anyone who enters an electronic site without authorization in order to obtain public data or private information from a financial trade or economic establishment will be subject to a fine of up to AED 1,500,000 and/or a term of temporary incarceration. If such data is altered, copied, removed, divulged, or published, the penalty is increased and now includes a fine of at least AED 250,000 and a maximum of AED 1,500,000 as well as a term of imprisonment of at least five years.
Dubai cybercrime law: It is one of the laws that are most in line with the digital development, in order to prosecute any criminal acts that may occur through the Internet.
Medical information
According to Article 7 of the New CyberCrime Law in UAE, anybody who receives, modifies, damages, or exposes material linked to medical records, examinations, diagnoses, treatment, or care that was obtained online without permission would be subject to a temporary incarceration sentence.
Learn More About: SUCCESS STORY- HISTORICAL JUDGMENT IN A LABOR CASE
Unlawful access to secret codes, electronic card and bank account numbers
A person who unlawfully accesses credit card numbers, electronic card numbers, bank account statements, or information on electronic payment methods is punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine under Article 12, which broadens the categories of private information. It is punishable by imprisonment for at least six months and/or a fine of between AED 200,000 and AED 1,000,000 for using such information with the goal to collect monies that belong to third parties.
A person who obtains a confidential number, code, or password used to access any electronic site without authorization is prohibited under Article 14 of the New CyberCrime Law in UAE and faces imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 500,000 AED.
In addition, Article 13 forbids the use of counterfeit credit cards, debit cards, and other electronic payment methods. Anyone found guilty of using or accepting a counterfeit credit card, debit card, or other electronic payment method faces up to two years in prison and/or a fine of up to AED 2,000,000.
The advocates & lawyers of Khairallah Law Firm are of the highest level of professionalism, so you can turn to us in all kinds of legal cases.
electronic correspondence in accordance with the provisions of cybercrime law in uae
Article 10 forbids electronic mail spamming in order to safeguard the confidentiality and integrity of electronic communications. Intentional and unauthorized capture and/or interception of online communications is likewise prohibited by Article 15 of the New Cyber Crime Law. A fine of not less than 150,000 AED and not more than 500,000 AED is imposed as punishment for the offense. Additionally, a person who divulges information gained in this way may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed one year.
Activities and products that undermine public morality, including gambling
Anyone who creates, transmits, publishes, or exploits gambling, pornographic, or any other content through an electronic site is now subject to punishment under Article 17 of the New CyberCrime Law in UAE. Anyone who creates, manages, or oversees an electronic site, as well as transmits, sends, or publishes gambling and/or pornographic content using an electronic site, will be penalized by imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 250,000 and not more than AED 500,000. Additionally, if a minor under the age of eighteen is the subject of the pornographic material or if it was intended to lure minors, the perpetrator will be penalized with a minimum one-year sentence in jail and a fine between AED 500,000 and AED 1500,000.
According to Article 19, anybody who uses an electronic site to encourage or seduce someone else to engage in prostitution is also subject to imprisonment and a fine of between AED 250,000 and AED 1,000,000. If the victim is a minor, the penalty is doubled to a fine of AED 1,000,000 and a term of not less than five years.
Defamation
According to Article 20, anybody who uses an electronic site to insult others or to impute to another an event that might expose him to retaliation or disdain by others is liable to imprisonment or a fine of not less than AED 250,000 and not more than AED 500,000. An aggravating factor of the offence is regarded to be insult or slander directed at public personnel.
Contempt of religion
For anyone who uses electronic sites to show disrespect for any holy symbols, characters, figures, or rituals of Islam, including the Divinity (Allah, God), the Prophets, or for any other faiths or religions or any of their symbols, characters, figures, or rituals, Article 35 stipulates penalties of imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 250,000 and not more than AED 1,000,000.
Human trafficking
Article 23 of the New Cyber Crime Law forbids anybody from creating, managing, or supervising an electronic site for the purpose of trafficking in organs or people, and sanctions include a temporary detention sentence and a fine of not less than 500,000 AED or more than 1,000,000 AED. This is an increase from the interim detention sentence outlined in the 2006 Cyber Crime Law, which previously made people trafficking illegal.
Get More Insights About: Formation of a Company in the UAE with 100% Foreign Ownership
Sedition, sectarianism and harming national unity
The provisions of Article 24 include penalties for anybody who establishes or maintains an internet site for the purpose of disseminating programs or ideas that would undermine social harmony, public order, public decency, or national unity by inciting hatred, racism, or sectarianism.
Weapon’s trade and terrorist activities
The operation of an electronic site for the purpose of advertising or trafficking in firearms, ammunition, or explosives is punishable under Article 25. Establishing, running, or supervising an electronic site or publishing anything online for a terrorist organization or any other illegal group, association, organization, or body is banned, according to Article 26.
Collecting donations without a license
Article 27 forbids anybody from developing or managing an online platform to solicit donations without first securing a license from the relevant government.
Article 42 allows a court to deport a foreigner who is convicted of any crime under this law.
What organizations should do after updating cybercrime law in UAE
Organizations should examine IT usage rules and reiterate messages to workers and contractors about the proper use of email, websites, and electronic communications in light of the New Cybercrimes Law’s in UAE spectrum of expanded offenses and penalties.
To guarantee that marketing teams’ and social media managers’ communications and advertisements do not violate the new rule, they should get familiar with the UAE’s content regulations.
FAQ about cybercrime law in UAE
1-What is the punishment for cybercrime in UAE?
A six-month jail sentence and a fine of between 20,000 and 100,000 AED are possible penalties for the unauthorized sharing of personal information. The New Cybercrimes Law also makes it illegal to track, share, or retain a person’s location information without that person’s permission.
2-What is considered a cyber crime in UAE?
The law outlines offenses and punishments for anyone found guilty of developing or using a website or other information technology tool for the purpose of hacking, attacking, or tampering with government information systems and data, or for disseminating false information or information that endangers the interests and security of the UAE.
3-How to file a Cyber crime complaint in UAE?
You can report online cybercrimes using the following methods:
- the webpage for eCrime.
- Abu Dhabi Police: Aman Service.
- Website for Dubai Police.
- the federal Public prosecution in the UAE’s “My Safe Society” app (the app is available on iTunes)
You can contact advocate in dubai through our law firm.
Khairallah Advocates & Legal Consultants—Our law firm in the UAE pursues UAE law to be the leader in its field, providing legal services to various fields.
Keep Uncovering About: The UAE’s cybercrime legislation has been updated.
