UAE Cybercrime Law Outlines Criminal Penalties for Defamatory Online Business Reviews

Dubai Police arrested a group accused of posting false and negative Google Maps reviews targeting a company to damage its reputation and cause financial losses, Khaleej Times reported. Police initiated an investigation following a complaint by the affected company and discovered that individuals linked to several commercial shops had allegedly coordinated reviews despite never having visited the company's premises, referring the suspects to Public Prosecution.

Judicial counsellor Hesham Elrafei stated that UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes serves as the primary legislation governing these cases. While genuine customer feedback regarding poor service, late deliveries, or unsatisfactory products is lawful, criminal exposure arises when reviews contain fabricated claims, personal insults, defamatory allegations, or form part of organised or paid campaigns.

Under Article 43 of the Cybercrimes Law, using electronic information technology or networks to insult an individual or attribute qualities exposing them to public contempt or punishment carries penalties of imprisonment and fines between AED 250,000 and AED 500,000. In an earlier Abu Dhabi case cited by legal experts, an influencer who defamed a restaurant in a video was ordered to pay a AED 30,000 criminal fine, AED 51,000 in temporary civil compensation, and had the recording phone confiscated alongside an order to remove the video.

Additionally, Article 42 of the Cybercrimes Law addresses cyber-extortion and threats, penalising those who use online channels to coerce a business into an action or omission with up to two years' imprisonment and fines ranging from AED 250,000 to AED 500,000.