UAE Cracks Down On Abusive Posts: What Content Can Breach The Law?

The UAE’s National Media Authority has taken legal action against a female resident over social media content that it said insulted Emirati women, resulting in the suspension of her Mu’lin, or Advertiser Permit, for three months.

 

The case, together with a separate recent action involving offensive content broadcast during a social media livestream, has brought renewed attention to the UAE’s rules governing online media and advertising content.

 

What Has Happened?

 

In the latest case, the National Media Authority said content published through the resident’s social media account breached media-content standards and undermined the status, role and contribution of Emirati women. The authority said it would not tolerate content that offends Emirati women or conflicts with community values and the UAE’s national identity.

 

Earlier this month, the authority also took legal action against two people over offensive material broadcast during a social media livestream. It said the content breached standards relating to cultural heritage, national identity and prevailing societal values. One of the individuals had their Mu’lin Permit suspended for three months.

 

The two cases are separate and involved different content. However, together they highlight the regulatory risks associated with social media posts, videos, livestreams and other forms of digital content when authorities consider them to have crossed legal or regulatory boundaries.

 

What Types of Posts Can Draw Regulatory Action?

 

The National Media Authority’s standards extend well beyond traditional news reporting. They apply to media activities and also establish requirements for advertising content produced and published by creators through digital platforms.

 

Content that may attract regulatory scrutiny includes material that:

 

• Insults or denigrates individuals in a manner that conflicts with prevailing societal values, including content targeting Emirati women.
• Attacks religion, national identity or State institutions, or harms national unity and social cohesion.
• Promotes hatred or discord, including sectarian, regional or tribal conflict, or incites violence, terrorism or other crimes.
• Publishes false claims, rumours or misleading information, including forged material or content wrongly attributed to individuals or organisations.
• Invades privacy or publishes material concerning another person’s private life without appropriate regard for their rights.
• Violates public morals or promotes unlawful conduct, drugs or violence.
• Uses advertising content in a manner that disregards UAE culture, identity and values.

 

These standards do not mean that every critical or controversial comment will automatically result in regulatory action. Each case depends on its facts, context and the applicable legal and regulatory process. However, the rules make clear that seeking views, followers or engagement does not provide a defence if content is found to breach applicable standards.

 

What is a Mu’lin Permit?

 

A Mu’lin Permit is issued by the National Media Authority to individuals who provide advertising or media content through social media accounts, websites or other digital channels.

 

The permit framework covers advertising and media content whether it is published for payment or without payment. Social media creators therefore need to consider the applicable requirements when producing commercial or promotional content, as well as when publishing other material through their digital platforms.

 

What Action Can Authorities Take?

 

The UAE’s Media Regulation Law provides for administrative measures in response to violations. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the breach, these measures can include a warning, a fine ranging from Dh1,000 to Dh1 million, temporary closure of a violating establishment or media institution for up to six months, or cancellation of licences, permits and approvals.

 

For repeat violations, the applicable fine may be doubled, subject to a maximum of Dh2 million.

 

The precise action depends on the circumstances and nature of the violation. Suspension of a Mu’lin Permit is one of the regulatory measures available under the media framework.

 

What Does UAE Law Say About Online Insults?

 

Separate from the media regulatory framework, UAE criminal law also addresses certain forms of online insults.

 

Article 43 of the UAE’s Cybercrimes Law applies to the use of an information network, information technology equipment or an information system to insult another person or make an accusation that could expose that person to punishment or contempt by others.

 

A violation can carry imprisonment and/or a fine ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000.

 

This means that certain online comments may have consequences under both regulatory and criminal-law frameworks, depending on the nature of the content and the circumstances in which it was published.

 

Three Checks to Make Before Posting

 

Social media users can reduce the risk of breaching the rules by carrying out a few basic checks before publishing or sharing content.

 

First, is the information verified? A forwarded message, old video, screenshot or anonymous claim should not automatically be treated as factual. Users should verify information through reliable or official sources before sharing it.

 

Second, does the content expose someone’s private life or make an unsupported accusation? Privacy concerns and false or misleading attribution can both raise legal or regulatory issues.

 

Third, could the content offend community values, national identity or public morals, or contribute to hatred and social division? If there is a clear risk that it could, users should think carefully before posting or sharing it.

 

What Social Media Users Should Remember

 

The UAE’s regulatory framework can apply to a wide range of online activity, including social media posts, livestreams, advertising material, videos and online comments.

 

Recent enforcement actions demonstrate that content which authorities consider harmful to individual dignity, community values, cultural heritage or national identity can result in regulatory measures, including the suspension of a creator’s advertising permit.

 

For social media users and content creators, the key lesson is that online publication does not place content outside the reach of UAE law. Before posting, users should consider not only whether content is likely to attract attention, but also whether it complies with the country’s media, cybercrime and wider legal requirements.

 

For enquiries or further information, contact ask@tlr.ae or call +971 52 644 3004. Follow The Law Reporters on WhatsApp Channels.