Think Before You Post: UAE Law Cracks Down on Sharing Breakup Details and Personal Disputes Online

As social media becomes a popular outlet for sharing personal experiences, legal experts in the UAE are warning that public posts about breakups or divorces can lead to criminal consequences. What might appear as harmless venting could, under UAE law, amount to defamation or a violation of privacy -- both serious offences with steep penalties.

 

Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes treats defamatory statements and breaches of privacy as criminal acts. The law upholds an individual’s dignity, reputation and family privacy as matters of public order. Defamation in the UAE extends beyond false statements; even sharing accurate information can be punishable if it damages another person’s reputation or social standing without a legitimate reason.

 

The offence becomes more serious when it occurs online. Content shared through social media platforms, messaging apps, emails or blogs falls under the definition of electronic publication. Once a post or message containing defamatory or private material is shared digitally, it can be classified as a cybercrime. Penalties may include fines of up to Dh500,000, imprisonment, and, in some cases, deportation for non-citizens.

 

Privacy violations are treated with equal severity. Posting personal data, photographs, voice notes, private messages or screenshots without consent may constitute a criminal offence. Even if a name is not mentioned, a breach may still occur if the person can be identified through context or mutual connections. Legal liability does not require malicious intent; simply disclosing private or harmful information -- particularly during or after a divorce -- can have serious consequences.

 

Beyond legal implications, such online behaviour also carries emotional costs. Many social media users have observed how couples who once shared their relationships publicly later aired their disputes or separations with the same openness. This trend, some residents say, has eroded trust in long-term relationships and altered public perceptions of commitment.

 

Psychologists note that the impulse to post about breakups often stems from emotional distress. During periods of grief or loss, individuals may seek validation, sympathy, or a sense of control by telling their side of the story. However, experts caution that social media is an unsafe outlet for such emotions, as the temporary relief it offers can lead to long-term harm. Public criticism, legal risks, and the potential effect on custody disputes or reputational standing often outweigh any momentary comfort.

 

Even indirect or vague posts -- such as those implying wrongdoing without naming anyone -- can fall within the scope of defamation. If followers or acquaintances can reasonably identify the person being referred to, and if that post causes reputational harm, legal action may follow. Courts assess not only the words used but also the broader context and the impact of the publication, recognising both emotional and moral injury in addition to reputational damage.

 

Experts advise that disputes arising from relationships or marriages should be handled privately and, if necessary, through legal or counselling channels rather than online platforms. What begins as an emotional outburst could easily turn into a costly and damaging legal battle.

 

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