A man in the UAE could be fined over $68,000 for swearing at his colleague on WhatsApp under a new law governing internet users after the country’s top court overturned a verdict of a lesser fine for the offence.
The new law was brought to light by Federal Supreme Court (FSC), which overturned two lower court sentences fining the man Dirham 3,000 after he was convicted of swearing at another man on WhatsApp. The court ordered a fresh trial, supporting the appeal by the prosecutor who argued that the earlier sentence was too lenient and did not conform to the new laws that include a penalty of Dirham 250,000 (over $68,000) or imprisonment for those involved in online offences, media reported. Under the new law, people swearing online at others could be fined Dirham 250,000 and jailed, while expatriates could also be deported from the UAE.
“FSC supported prosecutor’s appeal and affirmed need for enforcement of the law governing IT crimes involving a Dirham 250,000 fine and deportation from the country”.