Social media is not your diary, keep your posts positive, not negative- Ashley T. Hagen
What you will do when you see people fighting in public? Record the incident on your phone and then post it on your social media, right? Well, you can get in serious trouble if you do the same in Dubai. Dubai police, on 21st July, warned against posting recordings of illegal acts on social media.
What you can or should do is inform the police about such negative incidents through ‘police eye service’ on Dubai police app or call their emergency hotline 999.
Criminal Penalties under the Law
Importantly, people recording illegal acts should not make them public and avoid liability under Article 52 of Federal Law No. 34 of 2021. The article states:
Whoever uses the information network to announce, disseminate, re-disseminate, circulate, or recirculate news or data, or broadcasts any provocative news that would incite or provoke public opinion, disturb the public peace, spread terror among people, or cause harm to the public interest, the national economy, the public order, or the public health shall be punished with at least 1 year of imprisonment and a fine of not less than AED 100,000.In case one receives any footage, then the top lawyer of Dubaisuggests to not forward the same to anybody except the police.
Why in news?
Recently, Dubai police arrested seven people alleged to have been involved in a violent brawl. The police took action after the video of the same incident went viral on social media, and also warned against the repercussions of posting such incidents on public platforms. On 21st July 2022, the police in a statement wrote:
“The Dubai Police has arrested a group of people, who were engaged in a heated argument in their residence at late hours. The group of African people appeared in a viral video on social media platforms while fighting in a public place and damaging properties. “Immediately after the arrest, a criminal case was registered against them. Now, further action will be taken by the Public Prosecution.
So, think before you post footage of some illegal activity on social media! BSB Legal Consultants has the best criminal lawyers in UAE. For legal assistance and consultation, contact us at info@bsb.legal or call us at +97150 8014003.