Defamation Laws and Social Media: Understanding Legal Consequences in the UAE

UAE in the crime reported most time is. The against such cases, the law strict in UAE is. Under Article 425, 426 of the UAE Penal Code, it is treated as a criminal case. Help of systems sophisticated with proved easily are cases here. However, many people, lack of awareness about this law and punishment, have their lives ruined by posting/sharing/tagging defamatory things through social media and others. Preethar Sriram Madhav, a Lawyer in UAE, talks about punishments for defamation cases, the criminal procedure in the UAE, and how to file a defamation case.

A Dhs 5 lakh of minimum fine:
Defamation by a minimum fine of 5 lakh dirhams under UAE law is punishable. Law criminal under is it if another person acts or on social media or tells another person in such a way as to tarnish a person’s image, his dignity, pride, and appreciation in the society scratch. A case against it can be filed under criminal law and civil law for loss of conscience. This defamation case type in the UAE for two years has been on the rise.

Careful spending on social media:
Now acceptance of social media great of time by almost everyone not just the new generation are used. Defamation crime most in social media is common. Even in these digital media, if there speculation campaign, false or misleading information about any person or organization is and if someone re-shares or tags it and re-spreads it without knowing the truth, they in the crime knowingly or unknowingly are participating. Negative comments about an organization spread on social media when it is doing well and harm the growth of the organization and cause loss to its owner. For this, the owner can file a suit for defamation.

Evidence with comes witness if be filed a case will:
If the person who hears or sends a slander on social media in the form of a voice message or a normal message or sends it to another person, a case of defamation can be filed against the perpetrators if they are ready to testify. A case of defamation can be filed against them if they falsely spread their work, educational qualification, or personal matter etc. through social media in a way that harms others. A civil case can also be filed against this if there is proper proof. This is possible not only in the UAE but also in the home country.

If a person unknowingly sends their photo or personal information to others through online media without their consent, or if their conversation is recorded and disseminated without their knowledge, a civil or criminal defamation case can be filed. If convicted, the defendants face deportation, fines, and compensation. Many people do not know the seriousness of a defamation case which often jumps into trouble. Anyone can tag and share a positive message on any medium without permission. But if the person who posted the message doesn’t like it, he can file a criminal case. This is also considered a cybercrime. Do not forward a message or comment on it without permission.

Think before you comment:
Similarly, when news is spread about a person or organization on social media, if it is spread by saying that someone else said it, then if we have all the information of the said person, they can also be added to the list of accused while filing the case. So take a moment to think when you say, write or share something about someone on social media. Otherwise, what is thought to be a trivial matter can be considered as a major crime and face a civil or criminal case, with imprisonment of up to two years and a huge fine. Social media users should remember that if you see any negative post and never write up or down or tag/share it, you are just as guilty as the person who posted it. Even if you make negative comments or post about any country, government, police, company, person, business, etc., the punishment will be severe. If a negative comment negatively affects the operation of an organization or loses its image, causes mental stress to that person or the owner of the organization, destroys their life, or causes financial loss, the person who sent the post or message will be responsible for everything.

Be careful when taking photos in shopping malls:
Be careful not to cause trouble to the third party when you visit shopping malls or other commercial centers while going home or elsewhere and take pictures and videos of the products there and send them for feedback. Unknowingly, the women or men who are there are included in the photo and they don’t like it and if they or the security officer report it to the police, they will be caught. If the police check the phone and find the photo and video, they will be jailed and fined. And will be deported after serving the sentence. If the image of government institutions gets scratched:

Be careful when spreading hearsay about government-related matters such as visas and jobs in the UAE and speaking in a way that damages the image of government appointments. It can even be prosecuted as an offense of sedition. Be very careful when talking or texting someone out of jealousy or resentment about a topic you don’t know about. If not, he will have to spend the rest of his life in jail. A fine of up to million will also have to be paid. Any discussion about religions, scriptures, places of worship is considered a crime if it is recorded without permission.

In the UAE today, YouTubers frequently create video blogs (vlogs) about various establishments such as restaurants, commercial centers, and shops. Negative comments about the food or businesses made during these vlogs are subject to legal consequences.

How to file defamation case?
If there is awareness that an individual is portraying someone personally or their organization inaccurately through social media, it is advisable to file a case with supporting evidence. Voicemails and posts on social media can be presented as evidence. Additionally, a case can be built utilizing the testimony of a witness who has heard defamatory statements.