In an age where information spreads rapidly and news can be shared at the click of a button, rumors and cybercrimes have emerged as significant challenges facing modern societies. The widespread use of the internet and social media makes it easy to circulate information without verifying its accuracy, often resulting in public confusion, a loss of trust, and negative psychological, social, and security repercussions.
In response to these issues, the UAE exemplifies a comprehensive approach to tackling rumors and cybercrimes by combining legal deterrence with community awareness. The experience has shown that confronting such phenomena requires not only punitive measures but also fostering a conscious digital environment that protects the Emirati community from falling victim to false news and promotes a culture of responsibility and accountability in the digital media space.
The UAE is among the first countries to implement an advanced legislative and regulatory framework aimed at curbing the spread of rumors and addressing digital crimes. The issuance of Federal Decree-Law No. (34) of 2021 represented a pioneering step towards enhancing digital security and maintaining societal stability by imposing strict penalties on those who disseminate false or misleading information.
Sumaya Harib Al Suwaidi, a member of the Federal National Council, emphasized that the spread of rumors within society is a destructive phenomenon that undermines individual awareness and erodes trust in institutions. She noted that such rumors could lead to disastrous consequences if they gain traction and are accepted as truth without scrutiny. Al Suwaidi highlighted that rumors, with their negative psychological, social, and security implications, contribute to chaos, the normalization of lies, and deceit, especially with the proliferation of social media platforms, which have become fertile ground for circulating falsehoods and competing to disseminate them.
She pointed out that rumor mongers employ sophisticated deceptive tactics, such as artificial intelligence, photo and video manipulation, exaggeration, and psychological warfare to achieve hidden goals that threaten societal stability and security. Al Suwaidi stressed that becoming a spreader of rumors and abandoning the pursuit of truth is one of the gravest risks to societal consciousness. The UAE tackles this phenomenon through the Federal Decree-Law on Combatting Rumors and Cyber Crimes, which serves as a critical legislative framework against such practices.
She affirmed that prevention begins with individuals confronting rumors and culminates in collaboration among state institutions. Al Suwaidi urged citizens and residents to uphold loyalty and belonging to the homeland, trust official institutions and media sources, and report any rumors harmful to society. She warned against being complacent in dealing with rumors and emphasized the importance of refraining from sharing them to avoid legal repercussions.
Naima Al Sharhan, another member of the Federal National Council, added that the spread of rumors via social media, unchecked and without awareness, has become a challenge that disrupts societies and affects their cohesion and security, particularly amid the precarious conditions facing the region and the world.
She added, “It is unfortunate that misinformation spreads rapidly and circulates among people as if it were fact, despite the existence of official bodies tasked with confirming or denying such claims, who exert considerable efforts in providing rapid and accurate responses. Some users, either innocently or out of ignorance of the consequences, share inaccurate content that may implicate state institutions and instill panic among the community, not realizing that UAE law is severe and clear on this matter, holding accountable anyone who shares or disseminates content deemed rumors or capable of destabilizing societal security or inciting disorder.”
Al Sharhan underscored the critical role of families in monitoring what their children share and re-share from their accounts, as they may inadvertently get involved in legal violations. She emphasized that awareness serves as a safeguard in this digital age, and that rallying around official sources, while avoiding sowing doubt or exaggeration, is a national responsibility for every individual living in the country.
She continued, “We live in a country guided by wise leadership and strong institutions, and we must not become tools in the hands of malicious actors or rumor peddlers. We should all be cautious, as a rumor may consist of just a few words, but its impact can be swift and enduring.”
Punitive Laws
Lawyer Salem Al Kit explained that the UAE consistently updates its legislation to keep pace with digital transformations and confront the risks posed by rumors, particularly via social media. The Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumors and Cyber Crimes includes severe penalties that can lead to imprisonment and fines ranging from 100,000 dirhams to one million dirhams for anyone spreading false or malicious news affecting security or public order. If the rumor threatens the state’s security, public order, reputation, or institutions or causes public panic, penalties can be intensified as per Article 52.
He pointed out that awareness of the law still needs to be bolstered. “Some may think that re-sharing or clicking the ‘send’ button does not constitute a crime, yet the law holds individuals fully responsible for any content they share.” He affirmed that the legislation targets tackling rumors and misleading information, combating cybercrimes, including incitement and hate speech, and protecting national security and societal peace while ensuring responsible use of media and digital platforms.
Article 53 of the aforementioned law states that re-sharing or circulating rumors exposes the individual to legal accountability, as the law does not exempt users from responsibility under the pretext of “ignorance of the news source.” Article 11 specifies that using information technology to incite or promote illegal acts can result in imprisonment and fines based on the nature of the incitement and the published content.
He noted that intention does not exempt individuals from punishment; merely sharing misleading posts, even unintentionally, constitutes a crime. Thus, verifying the source is a fundamental requirement before re-sharing or commenting. The law applies to individuals, personal accounts, and institutional accounts, supporting a culture of digital responsibility and curbing the spread of discord and rumors while protecting national institutions and public safety from misinformation, thus fostering a secure and trustworthy communication environment.
The Role of Public Welfare
Keif Salem Bin Anbar, Director General of the Emirates Society for Social Development, stated that community institutions play a complementary role alongside government entities in addressing the phenomenon of rumors. He noted that raising awareness and educating about the dangers of false news is an essential part of the work of developmental and social associations in the country.
Bin Anbar added, “In the society, we strive to conduct workshops and training courses targeting various groups, especially youth, to enhance their abilities in distinguishing between accurate and misleading information and understanding the psychological and social impact of rumors. The civil society represents a crucial link between official entities and the public, and cultivating a culture of dialogue, verification, and fact-checking should be a priority in the current era, especially with the rapid flow of information through digital platforms.”
Community Participation
Additionally, a number of citizens and residents expressed their concern over rumors circulating on social media, particularly those related to regional tensions or unconfirmed security news. They emphasized that disseminating such misinformation undermines national efforts and instills anxiety among community members, stressing the need to apply legal measures against anyone promoting or sharing false news, as combating rumors is a collective responsibility.
Government employee Iman Al Heiasa remarked, “Some messages circulated within the community contain unjustified exaggerations about events. Many ignore the importance of verifying news accuracy and prefer to believe rumors that reflect their fears, leading to their quicker spread. It is important to note that everyone trusts state institutions and their official sources, and we do not need unreliable platforms that sow panic among people.”
Retiree Abdullah Salem Al Shumaily pointed out that digital awareness has become a national necessity, asserting that rumors can start from a simple message but can disrupt an entire community. He called for immediate fines on individuals who disseminate news without verification. He added, “Some spread rumors without checking their accuracy, and sometimes they not only relay the information but also add misleading details, possibly fabricating significant elements, which makes the rumor more powerful and facilitates its rapid dissemination and impact on individuals and targeted communities.”
Mohammed Aboulazm highlighted, “We must take responsibility for everything we re-share. The UAE is a bastion of security, and it is our duty not to cause panic through unverified rumors. In times of crises, a country is not only measured by its military strength or economic size but also by the awareness of its people. A conscious community capable of distinguishing between truth and falsehood forms the first line of defense against the most dangerous contemporary weapons.”
A member of the community, Ahmed Faisal, emphasized that young people bear a double responsibility in confronting the rumor phenomenon, particularly through social media platforms that are widely used by their demographic. In an era where tools for research and verification are readily available, it is unacceptable to re-share any unverified or unknown information. He pointed out that neglecting to verify reinforces misinformation and weakens community immunity against false news, and returning to official state sources is the best way to ensure information accuracy and maintain collective awareness.