Have you ever forwarded a post that turned out to be fake? Or do you just enjoy trolling people every once in a while?
In the United Arab Emirates, you may be subject to penalties for such actions. Spreading false information, rumors, or defaming someone online can get you into serious trouble in the country.
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Emirates has recently implemented stricter rules regarding the use of social media within the country. From July 2024, Abu Dhabi has enacted a law that will penalize social media influencers and establishments who engage in advertising or providing advertising services without a license.
Here are seven things to avoid on social media to respect the country’s norms and laws.
1. Criticize or attack the President of the UAE or the Ruler of the Emirates. or criticize or attack the country’s system of governance or harm the higher interests of the country.
2. Damage the country’s economic system by spreading rumors or sharing misleading news.
3. Posting opinions that violate public order and morals, insult minors, or promote destructive ideas.
4. Distorting discussions or public meetings of domestic courts or regulatory bodies;
5. Intentionally disseminating false news, forged or fabricated documents, or misrepresenting them as belonging to another person.
6. Criticizing the actions of a public official or public representative;
Publishing information, news, visual material or rumors online with the purpose of ridiculing or damaging the country’s reputation, prestige or status is subject to severe penalties, including a fine of up to 500,000 dirhams and imprisonment for up to 5 years. Imprisonment may be imposed.
meher@khaleejtimes.com
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