UAE: Up to Dh1 million fine, jail term for sharing private company information online

Dubai - The Public Prosecution has earlier noted the significance of Federal Decree – Law No. 5 of 2012 in fighting cybercrime.

The UAE Public Prosecution has issued a warning against disclosing confidential company information without authorisation online.

Taking to Twitter, the authority posted the warning as part of an awareness video on cybercrime on Friday.

Clarifying the punishment for the criminal activity, the Public Prosecution stated that anyone caught revealing such classified information, obtained as a result of or during employment, is liable to a prison term and/or up to Dh1 million in fines.

According to Article 22 of the Federal Law no. 5 for 2012, anyone who uses, "without authorisation, any computer network, website or information technology as a means to disclose confidential information which he has obtained in the course of or because of his work" will be subject to these penalties.

The punishment includes imprisonment for a period of at least six months and a fine of not less than Dh500,000 and not in excess of Dh1 million.

The Prosecution has earlier noted the significance of Federal Decree – Law No. 5 of 2012 in the battle against cybercrimes.

“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 had said.

• UAE