Up to Dhs10m fine for storing, sharing illegal online content

ABU DHABI: In an awareness campaign on its social media account, the UAE Public Prosecution has warned people against sharing or storing illegal online content.

According to Article 53 of the Federal Decree – Law No.34 of 2021 for combating rumours and e-crimes a fine of not less than Dhs300,000 and not more than Dhs10,000,000 (Dhs10 million) shall be imposed on whoever uses an online website or account for commiting any of the following acts.

Making available or the storage or publication of an illegal content with removing the same or banning access to such extent within the duration specified in the orders given thereto as stipulated in this decree-law.

Fully or partly declining to implement an order that is given thereto as stipulated in this decree-law without and acceptable excuse.

The UAE Public Prosecution had earlier explained, through posts on its social media accounts, the penalties for promoting medical products without licence on the world wide web.

According to Article 49 of the Federal Decree-law No 34 of 2021, for Combating Rumors and E-crimes, any person who creates, manages, or supervises a website or publishes information on the world wide web, or by any means of information technology for the promotion or sale of medical products that are unlicenced in the UAE, or that are an imitation of licenced medical products, shall be sentenced to detention and a fine, or one of these two penalties.

The UAE Public Prosecution also through posts on its social media accounts had announced the penalties for running organised begging operations.

According to Article 476 of the Federal Decree-law No. 31 of 2021 on Promulgating Penal Code (Law of Crimes and Penalties), any person who runs organised begging operations with an organised group of two or more people shall be sentenced to detention for a minimum term of six months and a minimum fine of Dhs100,000.

Any person recruiting people from outside the country for organised begging shall receive the same punishment, the post said.

Article 477 of the same Federal Decree-law states that anyone involved in organised begging operations shall be imprisoned for up to three months and fined Dhs5,000, or one of the two penalties.

The Public Prosecution further explained that it is considered an aggravating circumstance if the perpetrator of the organised begging crime is a guardian, custodian, or charged with fostering or caring for the beggar, or has direct authority over him.