Online posts criticizing an ex-partner in the United Arab Emirates could lead to a defamation fine of up to 500,000 UAE Dirhams, caution experts.
In the digital age, social media has become a platform for many to share their lives, including personal relationships. However, for Shamsa, a 33-year-old Dubai resident, the emotional cost of publicly airing separations on social media is a stark reminder of the serious consequences that can arise.
The UAE legal system treats online defamation and privacy breaches as criminal offenses, not just civil matters. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes, defamation—meaning any statement that harms someone's honor or reputation—is criminalized regardless of whether the statement is true. Sharing personal data, images, voice notes, private messages, or screenshots without consent can also result in criminal charges under privacy laws.
The courts treat online insults as published content with serious consequences, and harms to dignity, reputation, and family privacy are considered matters of public order in the UAE. Specifically in breakup and divorce contexts, venting online or sharing private details about an ex-partner can cross into criminal territory. The law aims to protect individual and family privacy, and such posts can lead to criminal prosecution, harsh fines, and civil damages claims.
The truth is not a defense for defamation in the UAE; even accurate information can be considered defamatory if shared without justification. The legal system gives weight to emotional and moral harm, not just reputation. Courts in the UAE assess the overall context and impact of posts, not just their content, when determining if reputational harm has occurred. Indirect references or vague posts, known as "subtweeting" or "soft launching" grievances, may still meet the legal threshold for defamation.
Psychologist Rehab Al Hammadi stated that emotional regulation often breaks down during periods of grief or loss, leading people to seek validation or defend themselves on social media. However, she warned that public judgment, potential legal action, or impact on custody battles can make things worse and that venting publicly doesn't resolve pain; it often adds new layers to it.
Byron, a legal expert, gave an example of a seemingly general post that, when shared during a public or known divorce dispute, can be interpreted as targeting a specific person. Shamsa, a Dubai resident, believes that public breakups on social media are changing the image of commitment and making long-term relationships feel less stable.
Privacy violations in the UAE involve sharing personal data, images, voice notes, private messages, or screenshots without consent. Violations can lead to fines up to AED 500,000, jail time, and potential deportation for non-citizens. The UAE's legal approach aims to protect individual dignity, reputation, and family privacy.
Waad Barakat, a Special Correspondent covering security topics, with a focus on blending human interest stories and unique Gen Z-inspired content, sheds light on this important issue. It's a reminder for all users in the UAE to exercise extreme caution when posting about personal relationships on social media or messaging platforms to avoid serious legal repercussions.
- Shamsa, a 33-year-old Dubai resident, has found that sharing personal relationships, especially during separations, on social media comes with a high emotional cost and potential criminal consequences due to the UAE's strict laws against online defamation and privacy breaches.
- While social media provides a platform for many to share their lives, including personal relationships, the UAE's legal system considers online insults as published content with severe consequences and treats defamation as a criminal offense, irrespective of its truthfulness.
- The UAE's legal approach aims to protect individual dignity, reputation, and family privacy, and posting personal data, images, messages, or screenshots without consent can lead to hefty fines, imprisonment, and even deportation for non-citizens.
- In the world of digital news and education-and-self-development, Waad Barakat, a Special Correspondent focusing on security topics, reminds us of the importance of exercising extreme caution when it comes to posting about personal relationships on social media or messaging platforms, as such actions could lead to serious legal repercussions in the UAE.
