UAE tightens cybercrime laws to check terrorism
UP TO 25 YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND FINES UP TO DH4 MILLION FOR ONLINE CRIMINALS SUPPORTING TERRORIST ORGANISATIONS
The UAE has made its cybercrime law more stringent to combat criminals supporting terrorist groups and unauthorised entities.
President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Emiri decree No 2 of 2018, amending the UAE Cybercrimes Law, official news agency WAM reported yesterday.
The new provisions stipulate imprisonment up to 25 years and fines up to Dh4 million to those who commit cybercrimes to support terrorist organisations and unlawful entities, Wam reported.
According to the decree, article numbers 26, 28 and 42 of federal decree-law No 5 of 2012 on combating cybercrimes will be replaced with updated provisions.
Article 26 stipulates imprisonment between 10 and 25 years, and a fine between Dh2 million and Dh4 million for whoever establishes, manages or runs a website or publishes information on the computer network or information technology means for the interest of a terrorist group or any unauthorised group, association, organisation, or body. These offenders should have an intention to facilitate communication with their leaders or members or attract new members, or to promote or praise their ideas, finance their activities or provide actual assistance thereof, or for the purpose of publishing methods for manufacturing incendiary devices or explosives or any other devices used in terrorism acts.
The article also details an imprisonment up to five years, and a fine ranging between Dh500,000 and Dh1 million for whoever establishes, manages or runs a website or publishes information on the computer network or information technology means with the aim to incite hate. For first-time offenders, the court may place the accused under electronic probation and monitoring, and prevent them from using information technology means during a period not exceeding the maximum penalty prescribed for the offence.
Article 28 stipulates a punishment of temporary imprisonment and at least Dh1 million fine for whoever establishes, manages or runs a website or uses information on the computer network or information technology means with intent to incite acts or publishes or transmits information, news or cartoon drawings or any other pictures, which may endanger the national security and the higher interests of the state or afflicts its public order, or attacks on any member of the judicial system.
Finally, article 42 entails that subject to the second paragraph of Article 121 of the UAE Penal Code, the court may order deportation of a foreigner who is convicted in any of the crimes specified in federal decree-law No 5 upon execution of the sentence.
Any provision contrary to the provisions of this decree shall be repealed and the latest issue shall be published in the official gazette, said the WAM report.