Why Sharing a Cartoon Can Land You in Jail in the UAE

When the Iranian missile it’s a drone attack In the United Arab Emirates earlier this year, cybercrime legislation began to focus on the issue both on and off the internet. Authority announced the arrest linked to misleading videos, AI-generated videos, illegal photography, and disinformation.

For many people, what happened was surprising: How can a photo taken, a video posted, or a social media site be a crime? The answer lies in the existing laws.

In general, many types of online misconduct are punishable under the UAE’s cybercrime laws. But when there are problems, emergencies, or disasters, the problems become more serious. UAE Law Article 52 prohibits the use of the internet to spread false news, false rumours, or material contrary to public notices, as well as material that may disturb public peace, spread fear, or destroy public order.

In all cases, the minimum penalty is one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 UAE dirhams. During epidemics, crises, emergencies, or disasters, these figures double up to two years and 200,000 UAE dirhams. The recent debate did not create a new law. It introduced stricter sanctions under the existing one.

Legal expert Ahmed Elnaggar, managing partner of Elnaggar & Partners, says the logic of arrests due to online activity is consistent with this plan. “What’s shared during an emergency is not always considered accurate, but it can affect stability, security, and public awareness,” he says. “What may appear as comments or posts can, in such environments, be interpreted as harmful or illegal communication.”

Authorities ordered the arrest of those accused of spreading misleading videos, including AI-generated videos, as well as material deemed harmful to public order and safety. Abu Dhabi police also announced the arrest of 375 people for illegally recording the selected site and spreading false information on the Internet.

From a legal point of view, Elnaggar says, everything that is in an uncertain or illegal area of ​​conflict carries a high risk. “Only information provided by official, authorized UAE authorities is appropriate for sharing,” he says.

Long before the recent controversy, the UAE’s cybercrime practices have been characterized by hacking, stolen passwords, and online fraud. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021it also covers privacy violations, false information, misuse of digital platforms, online defamation, and other forms of online malfeasance.

For residents, visitors, developers, and anyone with a cell phone, the practical lesson is simple: Some online habits can have legal consequences.

When the Screenshot Stops Being No Problem

Graphics have become a language of their own. They record debates, settle arguments, testify in debates, and sometimes serve no other purpose than to make for interesting short conversations. But when a private exchange is copied and shared, it can no longer be considered private—and intent isn’t the only thing considered under the law.

Elnaggar makes it clear that: “The law does not distinguish between informal distribution and informal sharing when the results are the same.”

A photo is legally problematic, Elnaggar says, when it reveals private information without permission, distorts what was said, or damages reputation. “The law has a duty to disclose,” says Elnaggar. “Even if the information was shared in good faith between two parties, redistributing it could turn a private exchange into a media-driven process with legal implications.”

Many users think that the goal is to choose. The law, broadly speaking, does not.

Improving Accounting

A similar misconception is that only the person who created the problem bears any risk. That the person who wrote the message, who filmed the video, is the one who started the rumor—not the person who just posted it—is guilty. This is not in accordance with UAE law.

The legal definition of social media activity is broad enough to capture not only those who created it but also anyone who participates in the dissemination of the content. “Printing and reprinting are done the same way,” says Elnaggar.