UAE Resident Fined ₹16 Lakh Over Negative Online Review of Business

UAE Man Fined Over ₹16 Lakh for Defaming Business in Online Review

A United Arab Emirates person who made negative comments about a company on social media was subject to a severe penalty. The person has been sentenced to pay Dh70,000 (about ₹16.21 lakh) to the business owner by the Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Claims, citing financial losses and reputational harm brought on by his comments.

The businessman originally sued, requesting Dh200,000 in damages for emotional and material harm, legal fees, and court costs, according to Gulf News. He asserted that the store’s reputation was badly damaged by the defendant’s disparaging internet remarks, which also caused a decline in sales.

The court reviewed the statements made online and concluded they were indeed damaging to the company’s image. Prior to this civil case, the defendant had already been found guilty in a criminal court. In his defense, he requested that the case be dismissed and urged the Federal Tax Authority to provide the company’s tax records to verify if a decline in sales had truly occurred during the time in question.

The defendant also requested compensation of his legal expenses and provided a number of supporting papers, such as screenshots of conversations and evidence of his dependent status. Nevertheless, the court decided against him, finding that defamation had been established, and mandated that he pay the business owner the agreed-upon sum.

Such instances have already been reported in the United Arab Emirates. A similar case occurred in 2024 when Craig Ballentine, a Northern Ireland man, was prosecuted for posting a critical review of a dog grooming company in Dubai. Ballentine detailed his complaints against the grooming center and a previous supervisor in a negative online review he filed after being fired. While on vacation in Abu Dhabi, he was arrested on charges of slander. He had to pay heavy fines, lose his job, and serve a two-month travel ban before he was allowed to return to Northern Ireland.

Both trials are a clear reminder that the UAE has strong rules against cybercrime and defamation, especially when it comes to social media criticism and online content. If deemed libelous, negative reviews may result in serious financial and legal consequences.