UAE Laws Establish Criminal Penalties for Defamatory Online Reviews and Complaints

Under UAE law, individuals and entities face potential criminal liability for electronic publications that amount to defamation, slander, insult, or unlawful invasion of privacy, according to legal analysis published by Khaleej Times. These legal risks apply across multiple digital mediums, including social media posts, online commercial reviews, video uploads, photographs, and public comments.

Article 43 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes stipulates that using an information network, electronic system, or information technology tool to insult another person or attribute qualities that expose them to public contempt or punishment is punishable by imprisonment and fines ranging between Dh250,000 and Dh500,000. Additionally, Article 44 penalises disclosing private secrets, publishing confidential communications, or violating privacy with at least six months of imprisonment and fines between Dh150,000 and Dh500,000.

Provisions under Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Crimes and Penalties Law) also penalise defamatory conduct through any public medium. Article 425 prescribes up to two years of imprisonment or fines up to Dh20,000 for attributing incidents that subject another to punishment or public hatred, while Article 426 penalises slanders violating personal honour or dignity with up to one year of imprisonment or a maximum fine of Dh20,000.

Legal expert Ashish Mehta noted that lawful criticism begins and ends with measured, objective, and evidence-backed factual descriptions of commercial transactions. In contrast, public allegations of fraud or criminality, abusive language, attacks on personal character, and unauthorized sharing of private messages or documentation cross the legal threshold into criminal offences, requiring complaints to be routed through official legal processes instead.