Court Orders Dh20,000 for WhatsApp Abuse as UAE Cybercrime Laws Tighten

An Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court has ordered a man to pay Dh20,000 in damages after he sent a series of insulting WhatsApp messages and followed up with abusive phone calls. The court found that the remarks caused the plaintiff significant emotional distress and violated provisions of UAE civil law, which hold individuals financially responsible for harm, even when the harm is intangible.

 

Court records show the plaintiff initially sought Dh90,000 in compensation, citing ongoing psychological and social harm. He also relied on evidence from a prior criminal case, where the defendant had already been found guilty of verbal abuse. In its reasoning, the civil court cited Articles 292 and 293 of the Civil Transactions Law, which allow damages to be awarded for “moral injury,” including humiliation, pain and psychological suffering. While the awarded amount was lower than the claim, the court ruled Dh20,000 as fair compensation under the circumstances. The defendant was also ordered to cover court fees and legal expenses.

 

Legal experts say this ruling reflects the UAE’s tough approach towards defamation and online abuse. According to Sunil Ambalavelil, Chairman of Kaden Boriss, even private insults over messaging platforms like WhatsApp can trigger both civil and criminal liability. “Under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrime, as amended in 2024, online insults or defamatory remarks can lead to penalties including imprisonment and fines ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000,” Ambalavelil explained.

 

He added that Article 43 of the Cybercrime Law and Article 426 of the Penal Code make clear that abusive remarks, whether public or private, are punishable. Aggravated cases can attract up to two years in prison and fines of up to Dh50,000. Courts in the UAE are also increasingly accepting electronic evidence such as WhatsApp messages and social media posts, provided they are properly authenticated under the country’s evidence laws.

“This case sends a strong message that digital communication is not beyond the reach of the law. Even insults exchanged privately can have serious legal consequences, both criminal and civil,” Ambalavelil said.

 

Legal practitioners advise UAE residents to exercise caution in their online and offline communications, as the courts continue to adopt a zero-tolerance stance towards defamation and abuse.

 

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