United Arab Emirates

Dubai Police have warned that social media users may face legal consequences if online criticism is deliberately used to damage the reputation or interests of an individual or business.

Major Yasser Juma Mohammed, head of the Social Media Crimes Section at Dubai Police, said people are entitled to express their views online, but that right does not extend to using digital platforms to harm others. Speaking on the Dubai Police Podcast, he said users should recognise the limits that apply when publishing comments on the internet.

He referred to a case involving a company that complained after a succession of negative reviews appeared on its Google Maps listing. The company’s management said the posts were affecting its business.

According to Yasser, the investigation found that several commercial shops had allegedly organised groups to publish false comments about the company. He said the posts caused financial losses and that the people involved had commented despite not having visited the company’s premises.

Dubai Police set up a team to examine the accounts, identify the people operating them and take action. The suspects were arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution, Yasser said.

Opinion versus defamation

Yasser said an online comment can result in legal accountability when it moves beyond a personal opinion and becomes an insult or defamation directed at another person.

He said cybercrime offences can be carried out through social media and other online platforms. Examples he cited included insults, threats, the spread of rumours, electronic fraud and the hacking of social media accounts.

The Google Maps case, he said, demonstrates the difference between an honest customer review and false content published with the intention of causing harm to a business. Users should consider the potential effect of what they post on people and companies, he added.

Yasser also cautioned that anonymous or fake accounts do not necessarily protect users from being identified. Dubai Police officers are trained to investigate such accounts and collect information that may help establish who is behind them, he said.

Warning on rumours and outdated information

People who pass on rumours may also be held accountable, rather than only the person who first publishes the information, Yasser said. He urged the public to check information before sharing it and to rely on official authorities and trusted sources.

He noted that even material first issued by government bodies may no longer be current if rules or circumstances have changed. Sharing old announcements without confirming that they remain relevant can therefore create problems, he said.

During emergencies and crises, residents should follow official instructions and avoid distributing unverified photos or videos that could spread rumours or affect community security, according to Yasser.

Dubai Police directs residents seeking advice on new fraud techniques and digital threats to its eCrime Hub, an awareness platform that provides online-safety information and guidance.

Source: Khaleej Times