UAE Authorities Warn Social Media Users: Offensive Comments Can Lead to Heavy Fines
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have issued a strong reminder to social media users that not only posts, but also comments, replies, and interactions on digital platforms can carry legal consequences if they are abusive, defamatory, or insulting.
The warning comes amid a rise in cases involving users targeting content creators with offensive remarks, often unaware that such actions constitute criminal offences under UAE law.
Colonel Omar Ahmed Abu Al Zawd, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Sharjah Police, stressed that misuse of comment sections has become a recurring issue.
“Commenting on a public post does not give anyone the right to verbally attack, mock, or humiliate others,” he said. “We are committed to taking firm action against digital offences that threaten social harmony. The law is clear — online insults, even within comment threads or replies, are punishable.”
Authorities pointed to Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021, as amended by Law No. 5 of 2024, which stipulates strict penalties for online insults or defamation. Offenders can face imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000, with harsher penalties for targeting public officials or using widely followed accounts to spread the abuse.
Officials reiterated that “every word is recorded” online, urging users to engage respectfully in digital spaces and to think before posting or commenting.
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