Federal Decree-Law on Countering Rumors and Cybercrimes

Article 1 — Definitions ¶

Defines: UAE; Government Entities; Competent Authorities; Information Technology (IT); Cyber; Data or Information; Government Data and Information; Personal Data and Information; Confidential Information and Data; Route Data; Website; Electronic Information System (IS); Information Technology Equipment (ITE); Electronic Account; Illegal Content; False Data; Electronic Robot (E-robot); Electronic Document (e-document); Hacking; Leakage; Interception; Cyberattacks; Encryption; Electronic; Electronic media; Digital Evidence; Information Network; Internet Protocol (IP) Address; Information Network Broker; Service Provider; Child; Child Pornography; Electronic Advertisement; Misleading Advertisement; Data or Information Processing; User; Writs of correction and removal of false data; Disable order; Access Blocking Orders.

SECTION ONE: CRIMES AGAINST INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Chapter One: Crimes Against Information Technology

Article 2 — Hacking ¶

1. Whoever hacks a website, an electronic IS, an information network or a piece of ITE shall be puni[shed... preview truncated].

Article 3 — Hacking the Government Entities' Information Systems ¶

1. Whoever hacks a website, electronic IS, information network or a piece of ITE belonging to the go[vernment... preview truncated].

Article 4 — Causing Harm to Information Systems ¶

1. Whoever willfully causes harm, destruction, interruption or disruption of a website, electronic I[S... preview truncated].

Article 5 — Harm to Information System of Government Entity and Critical Facility ¶

Whoever willfully causes harm, destruction, interruption or disruption of a website, electronic IS, [belonging to a government entity or critical facility... preview truncated].

Article 6 — Infringement of Personal Data and Information ¶

1. Whoever acquires, possesses, modifies, destroys, reveals, leaks, cancels, deletes, copies, dissem[inates personal data... preview truncated].

Article 7 — Infringement of Government Data and Information ¶

1. Whoever acquires, possesses, modifies, destroys, reveals, leaks, cancels, deletes, copies, dissem[inates government data... preview truncated].

Article 8 — Infringement of Data of Financial, Commercial or Economic Establishments ¶

Whoever acquires, possesses, modifies, destroys, reveals, leaks, cancels, deletes, alters, copies, d[isseminates data of financial establishments... preview truncated].

Article 9 — Unauthorized Acquisition of Third Party's Codes and Ciphers ¶

1. Whoever acquires the PIN code, cipher, or password or the like pertaining to a website, informati[on system... preview truncated].

Article 10 — Circumventing the Information Network with the Intention of Committing a Crime ¶

Any person who circumvents the protocol address of an information network by using an address belong[ing to a third party... preview truncated].

Article 11 — Creating Fake Emails, Websites, and Electronic Accounts ¶

1. Whoever creates a fake website, an account or an email and attributes it falsely to any natural o[r legal person... preview truncated].

Article 12 — Illegal Interception and Disclosure of Information ¶

1. Whoever obstructs or intercepts the access to an information network, website, or electronic IS o[r data transmitted therein... preview truncated].

Article 13 — Collecting and Processing Personal Data and Information in Violation of the Legislation ¶

Whoever uses the information technology or ITE to collect, save, or process personal data and inform[ation in violation of applicable legislation... preview truncated].

Article 14 — Forging E-documents ¶

1. Whoever forges an e-document belonging to any of the federal or local government or the public fe[deral or local authorities or establishments... preview truncated].

Article 15 — Hacking E-Payment Instruments ¶

Whoever forges, clones or copies any credit card, debit card, or any e-payment instrument, or captur[es its data... preview truncated].

Article 16 — Using Electronic Systems to Commit Crimes and to Conceal Evidence ¶

Any person who possesses, acquires, prepares, designs, produces, imports, makes available, or uses a[ny device or program to commit a crime... preview truncated].

Article 17 — Crimes Committed by Administrator of Website or Electronic Account ¶

Whoever manages, creates or uses a website or account on an information network with the intent to c[ommit a crime... preview truncated].

Article 18 — Tampering with Digital Evidence ¶

Everyone responsible for managing a website or an account on an information network, an e-mail, or a[ny digital evidence, who tampers with it... preview truncated].

Article 19 — Dissemination of Data or Information Not Compliant with Media Content Standards ¶

Everyone responsible for managing a website or an electronic account that has posted on any of it an[y data or information not compliant with media content standards... preview truncated].

Chapter Two: Crimes Relating To Content And Spread Of Rumors And False News

Part One: Content Crimes

Article 20 — Inciting the Suspension of the Provisions of the Constitution ¶

Whoever creates, manages, or supervises a website or publishes information, programs or thoughts tha[t call for suspending the constitution... preview truncated].

Article 21 — Advocacy and Promotion of Terrorist Groups ¶

1. Whoever creates, manages, or supervises a website or publishes information or data pertaining to [terrorist groups... preview truncated].

Article 22 — Dissemination of Information to Harm the Interests of the UAE ¶

Whoever uses information network or ITE and provides to any organization, institution, body, person [information harming the interests of the UAE... preview truncated].

Article 23 — Incitement to Harm the Security of the UAE and to Assault Judicial Officers ¶

Whoever creates, manages, or supervises a website or uses information on the information network or [ITE to incite harm against UAE security or judicial officers... preview truncated].

Article 24 — Promoting Sedition and Harming the National Unity ¶

Whoever uses of information network or any ITE to create, manage, or supervise a website or to disse[minate information promoting sedition... preview truncated].

Article 25 — Mockery and Tainting the Reputation of the UAE and its Public Figures ¶

Whoever publishes information, news, data, visual images, visual or optical materials or rumors on a[n information network mocking the UAE or its public figures... preview truncated].

Article 26 — Unauthorized Call for and Promotion of Demonstrations ¶

Whoever creates, manages, or supervises a website or uses information on the information network or [ITE to call for or promote unauthorized demonstrations... preview truncated].

Article 27 — Incitement to Disobedience of the Legislation ¶

Whoever calls for or incites to disobedience of the legislation in force in the UAE through dissemin[ation on an information network... preview truncated].

Article 28 — Offending a Foreign Country ¶

Whoever disseminates information or data on the information network or any ITE which include offendi[ng a foreign country... preview truncated].

Article 29 — Trafficking in and Promotion of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives ¶

Whoever creates, manages or supervises a website or publishes information on an information network [related to trafficking firearms, ammunition or explosives... preview truncated].

Article 30 — Transfer, Possession, Use or Acquisition of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) ¶

Without prejudice to the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Law, whoever willfully commits any [act related to illicit financial flows using IT... preview truncated].

Article 31 — Trafficking in and Promotion of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances ¶

Whoever creates, manages, or supervises a website or disseminates information or data on the informa[tion network related to narcotic drugs... preview truncated].

Article 32 — Creation and Management of a Website for Trafficking in Human Beings ¶

Whoever creates, manages, or supervises a website or disseminates information or data on the informa[tion network for trafficking in human beings... preview truncated].

Article 33 — Incitement to Immoral Acts and Prostitution ¶

Whoever incites or tempts third parties to commit prostitution or immoral acts, or assists him/her t[o do so using IT... preview truncated].

Article 34 — Disseminating Obscene Materials And Violating the Public Morals ¶

Whoever creates, manages, or supervises a website, or broadcasts, transmits, disseminates, re-dissem[inates obscene materials... preview truncated].

Article 35 — Engaging Children in Creating Pornographic Materials ¶

1. Whoever incites, seduces, or assists a child to broadcast, create or transmit obscene material usi[ng IT... preview truncated].

Article 36 — Possession of Child Pornographic Materials ¶

Whoever willfully possesses any child pornographic materials using the electronic IS, information ne[twork... preview truncated].

Article 37 — Blasphemy and Condoning the Sin ¶

Whoever uses information network, any ITE, or a website to commit any of the following crimes shall [be punished... preview truncated].

Article 38 — Promotion of Gambling Activities ¶

Whoever creates, manages or supervises a website, or uses information network to broadcast, transmit[ gambling activities... preview truncated].

Article 39 — Illicit Trafficking in Antiquities and Works of Art ¶

Whoever creates, manages or supervises a website or uses an information network or any ITE with the [intention of illicit trafficking in antiquities... preview truncated].

Article 40 — Internet Fraud ¶

Whoever illegally seizes for himself or for third parties a movable asset, a benefit or a document o[r signature via internet fraud... preview truncated].

Article 41 — Unauthorized Fundraising ¶

Whoever calls for or promotes a contest or electronic currency, or creates or manages a fictitious p[roject to collect funds without a license... preview truncated].

Article 42 — Cyberextortion and Cyber Threats ¶

1. Whoever uses an information network or any ITE to extort or threaten another person to force the [m to do or refrain from an act... preview truncated].

Article 43 — Defamation and Slander ¶

Whoever uses an information network, ITE, or an information system and insults another or attributes[ to them acts, incidents that undermine honor or reputation... preview truncated].

Article 44 — Revealing Secrets and Invasion of Privacy ¶

Whoever uses an information network, an IS, or any ITE with the intention of invading the privacy or[ another person... preview truncated].

Article 45 — Disclosure of Confidential Information at Work ¶

Whoever discloses any confidential information obtained at or because of his work or by virtue of hi[s profession... preview truncated].

Article 46 — Calling for and Promoting the Collection of Donations Without a License ¶

Whoever creates, manages, or supervises a website or disseminates information on the information net[work calling for donations without a license... preview truncated].

Article 47 — Conducting Statistical Surveys or Questionnaires Without a License ¶

Whoever uses an information program, information network, or ITE to conduct statistical surveys or q[uestionnaires without a license... preview truncated].

Article 48 — Advertisements and Promotions Misleading the Consumers ¶

Whoever uses an information network, any ITE, or a website to commit any of the following acts shall[ be punished... preview truncated].

Article 49 — Promoting Medical Products without License ¶

Whoever creates, manages, or supervises a website or publishes information on an information network[ promoting medical products without a license... preview truncated].

Article 50 — Unlawful Use of Communication Services or Broadcast Channels ¶

Whoever uses or helps third parties use communication services of audio or video broadcast channels [unlawfully... preview truncated].

Article 51 — Cyberbegging ¶

Whoever commits the crime of begging using any ITE through mendicity or any other form or means shal[l be punished... preview truncated].

Part Two: Crimes Of Spreading Rumors and False News

Article 52 — Spreading Rumors and False News ¶

1. Whoever uses the information network or any ITE to announce, disseminate, re-disseminate, circula[te rumors or false news... preview truncated].

Article 53 — Making Available and Refraining from Removing Illegal Content ¶

Whoever uses a website or electronic account to commit any of the following acts shall be punished w[ith... preview truncated].

Article 54 — Creating or Modifying E-robots To Disseminate False Data inside the UAE ¶

Whoever creates or modifies an e-robot with the intention of disseminating, re-disseminating, or cir[culating false data inside the UAE... preview truncated].

Article 55 — Obtaining a Gift in Return for Spreading Illegal Content or False Data ¶

Whoever requests, accepts or takes, directly or indirectly, or is promised of a materialistic of non[-materialistic gift in return for spreading illegal content... preview truncated].

Chapter Three: Special Provisions Concerning The Penalties

Article 56 — Measures Forfeiture Penalty ¶

Without prejudice to the rights of bona fide third parties, in the event of being convicted, the dev[ices, tools and proceeds used in or resulting from the crime shall be forfeited... preview truncated].

Article 57 — Penalty for Attempted Misdemeanor ¶

Attempted misdemeanors stipulated in this Decree-Law shall be subject to half of the penalty prescri[bed for the completed crime... preview truncated].

Article 58 — The Penalty for the Person Responsible for De Facto Management of the Legal Person ¶

The person responsible for the actual management of the legal person shall be punished with the same[ penalty prescribed for the crime... preview truncated].

Article 59 — Punitive Measures ¶

Upon rendering a judgment of conviction of any of the crimes stipulated in this Decree-Law, the cour[t may order additional punitive measures... preview truncated].

Article 60 — Aggravating Circumstances ¶

In implementation of the provisions of this Decree-Law, the following shall constitute aggravating c[ircumstances... preview truncated].

Article 61 — Exemption from Punishment ¶

1. At the request of the Attorney General, the court may reduce or exempt from the punishment if the[ perpetrator reports the crime or cooperates... preview truncated].

Article 62 — Writs to Correct, Interrupt, Disable and Block Access ¶

In respect of the crimes stipulated in Article (71) of this Decree-Law, the competent authorities ma[y issue writs to correct, interrupt, disable or block access... preview truncated].

Article 63 — Grievance and Appeal Against Orders ¶

Any person against whom any of the writs stipulated in this Decree-Law have been issued may file a g[rievance... preview truncated].

Article 64 — Cases of Non-Absence of Criminal Liability ¶

In implementation of the provisions of this Decree-Law, the following shall not be considered as gro[unds for the absence of criminal liability... preview truncated].

SECTION TWO: PROCEDURAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 65 — Probative Force of Evidence ¶

The evidence derived or extracted from electronic devices, equipment, media, or drives, information [systems shall have probative force... preview truncated].

Article 66 — Powers of the Attorney General ¶

1. In the cases where the criminal case lapses due to amicable settlement or compromise in accordanc[e with this Decree-Law... preview truncated].

Article 67 — Amicable Settlement ¶

Either the court or the Public Prosecution, as the case may be, may accept amicable settlement with [the accused... preview truncated].

Article 68 — Invoking Amicable Settlement with the Victim ¶

In the crimes stipulated in Articles (2) Clause (1), (6) Clause (1), (9) Clause (1), (11) Clause (1)[, and others, amicable settlement may be invoked with the victim... preview truncated].

Article 69 — Entry into Force ¶

Without prejudice to the provisions of the aforementioned Penal Code, the provisions of this Decree-[Law shall apply... preview truncated].

Article 70 — Judicial Officers ¶

The employees, upon whom the capacity of judicial officers is conferred pursuant to a resolution by [the Minister of Justice... preview truncated].

Article 71 — Crimes against the security of the UAE ¶

The crimes mentioned in Articles (3), (5), (7), (11) Clause (3), (12) Clause (3), (13), (19), (20), [and others, shall be deemed crimes against the security of the UAE... preview truncated].

Article 72 — Imposition of the More Severe Punishment ¶

Imposition of the penalties stipulated in this Decree-Law shall not prejudice any more severe penalt[y stipulated in any other law... preview truncated].

Article 73 — Repeals ¶

The Decree-Law No. (5) of 2012 on Combating Cybercrimes is hereby repealed. In addition, any provisi[on contradicting this Decree-Law is repealed... preview truncated].

Article 74 — Publication and Entry of the Decree-Law into Force ¶

This Decree-Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force as of 02 Janua[ry 2022... preview truncated].

Translated in cooperation with