In the United Arab Emirates, the spread of misinformation on the web is fraught with fines per million dirhams.
UAE authorities urge all Internet users not to post information that they think is false on Facebook and not share it with friends on WhatsApp. Otherwise, the user risks paying a decent fine, which can reach 1 million dirhams.
This week, the Telecommunications, Information Technology and Mass Communications (TRA) Supervision Service warned of fines for distributing fake information on social networks, recalling that such an act is prosecuted.
“Remember that not everything that is written on social networks is true, some of it is just rumors that can harm other people or the state. We ask you to always check the news in official government messages,” reads the TRA tweet.
TRA emphasizes the law aimed at combating cybercrime, according to which violators will be punished with a fine of up to 1 million dirhams, the death penalty is even imprisonment.
"Do not spread unverified news on social networks. Let these rumors stop on you," TRA reports on Sunday.
According to lawyer Michael Barney Almazar, article 29 of Federal Law No. 5 of 2012 provides for the punishment of those responsible for disseminating “information, news, statements or rumors” that undermine the “reputation” of the state as a whole, or of any of its institutions.
The law covers messages or posts sent by electronic means of communication, via e-mail, SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook or any other online platform or information technology tool.
According to the law, not only persons disseminating fake news are held liable. Even if the information posted on the Internet is true, the person disseminating it may be punished in case of violation of the privacy of another person.
In addition, according to article 21, part 3, the distributor of the news may be held liable even if the information contained in it is true, but it violates the privacy of the person who is the subject of the news.
However, the degree of punishment will depend on the type of information, the law fixes the maximum fine for a fine of 1 million dirhams.
