Spreading rumours, false news punishable offence in UAE

Spreading rumours and false information is a punishable offence in the UAE.

The country’s Public Prosecution took to social media to highlight the potential penalties for spreading misinformation, in accordance with Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 aimed at combatting the spread of rumours and fake news.

جريمة نشر الشائعات والاخبار الكاذبة ، وفقا للمرسوم بقانون اتحادي رقم 34 لسنة 2021 في شأن مكافحة الشائعات والجرائم الالكترونية#ثقف_نفسك #ثقافه_قانونيه #قانون #النيابة_العامة #النيابة_العامة_الاتحادية#خلك_حكيم @UAE_PP pic.twitter.com/hKsDk2dGcg

— النيابة العامة (@UAE_PP) January 2, 2022

The authority pointed out that according to Article 52 of the law, anyone who uses the internet to publish, circulate or spread false news, rumours or misleading information, contrary to the news published by official sources, could be punished by imprisonment for at least one year and fined Dhs100,000.

In case the publishing of false news or rumours agitates public opinion against state authorities or occurs during times of pandemic, crises or disasters, the violator could be imprisoned for at least two years and fined Dhs200,000, official news agency WAM reported.