UAE: Up to Dh200,000 fine, jail term for accessing data without authorisation

Dubai - Federal Public Prosecution warns against accessing websites to obtain government data, or confidential information without authorisation

If you are found accessing websites, electronic information systems, computer networks or information technology without prior authorisation in the UAE, you could be imprisoned and fined upto Dh200,000 by the authorities.

The UAE Public Prosecution has warned against accessing information without authorisation whether it is intended to obtain government data or confidential information relating to a financial, commercial and economical facilities.

In a video clip posted Friday on its social media platforms, the Public Prosecution clarified the punishment for committing such actions, which are considered a cybercrime under the UAE Law.

According to Article 4 of the Federal Decree – Law No. 5 of 2012 on combating cybercrimes, anyone found violating the law shall be punished with temporary imprisonment and a fine not less than Dh250,000 and not in excess of Dh150,0000.

The punishment includes imprisonment for a period of at least 5 years and a fine not less than D500,000 and not in excess of Dh2,000,000, if any data or information is deleted, omitted, deteriorated, destructed, disclosed, altered, copied, published or re-published.

The Public Prosecution highlighted the importance of the Federal Decree – Law No. 5 of 2012 on combating cybercrimes, emphasising its significant role in fighting new crimes that emerge along with the rapid technological developments.

“Under this law, these crimes can be addressed in a constitutional and legal deterrent manner that minimises the negative impacts resulting from the misuse of modern technologies on the social and economic interests of the UAE and individuals,” it added.