Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

SecurityWeekSecurityWeek

Cybercrime

UAE Toughens Penalties for Cyber Crimes

DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates issued a new law toughening penalties for cyber crimes to include jail terms for anyone who calls for regime change or mocks its rulers, newspapers reported on Tuesday.

Under the new law, which annuls one issued in 2006, the spreading of any material that calls for “toppling, changing the regime or seizing power” is punishable by a prison sentence, Emarat Alyoum reported, citing the text.

DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates issued a new law toughening penalties for cyber crimes to include jail terms for anyone who calls for regime change or mocks its rulers, newspapers reported on Tuesday.

Under the new law, which annuls one issued in 2006, the spreading of any material that calls for “toppling, changing the regime or seizing power” is punishable by a prison sentence, Emarat Alyoum reported, citing the text.

The law gives the judicial authorities the same powers to punish “calls to disobey the principles of the political system” in the Gulf country, a federation of sheikhdoms.

Although oil-rich UAE has been spared the wave of uprisings that hit most Arab countries, the authorities have clamped down on Islamists and claimed in July to have dismantled a group plotting against state security.

Several of those arrested had been active on online social media networks.

Also under the new law, anyone convicted of “creating or running websites that deride or damage the reputation or stature of the country and its rulers will face a minimum jail sentence of three years,” said The National, an English-Language daily.

This includes the president, the vice president, rulers and deputy rulers of the emirates and crown princes.

Anyone using electronic sites “to call for disobeying the laws and regulations of the state, as well as to call for demonstrations, marches and similar activities without obtaining a licence, also faces imprisonment,” it added.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The United Arab Emirates has come under criticism over arrests.

A European Union resolution last month condemned “harassment,” “restrictions on freedom of expression” and “illegal imprisonment” suffered by pro-democracy activists in the UAE, and demanded the “unconditional release of prisoners of conscience,” which it says number 64.

The Gulf state dismissed the accusations as unfounded.

Written By

AFP 2023

Click to comment

Trending

Daily Briefing Newsletter

Subscribe to the SecurityWeek Email Briefing to stay informed on the latest threats, trends, and technology, along with insightful columns from industry experts.

Don’t miss this Live Attack demonstration to learn how hackers operate and gain the knowledge to strengthen your defenses.

Register

Join us as we share best practices for uncovering risks and determining next steps when vetting external resources, implementing solutions, and procuring post-installation support.

Register

People on the Move

Mike Byron has been named Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Exabeam.

Ex-GitHub chief technology officer Mike Hanley has joined GM as CISO.

Network security and compliance assurance firm Titania has appointed Victoria Dimmick as CEO.

More People On The Move

Expert Insights

Daily Briefing Newsletter

Subscribe to the SecurityWeek Email Briefing to stay informed on the latest cybersecurity news, threats, and expert insights. Unsubscribe at any time.