July 29, 2025 | Dubai, UAE: A man living in Dubai has been banned from using the internet for a full month after being convicted of online defamation through WhatsApp. The unusual but firm ruling is part of a wider effort to enforce the UAE cyber crime law, which is rapidly becoming a central action of how the country deals with digital behaviour.
The court not only banned the individual from accessing digital platforms but also fined him Dh5,000 and ordered his mobile phone to be confiscated. This isn’t just about a fine or a temporary inconvenience. It’s about the growing seriousness with which digital communication is being treated in the UAE and how the UAE cyber crime law applies to everything from social media posts to one-on-one texts.
When a WhatsApp Chat Becomes a Court Case
This heated argument on WhatsApp turned into a full legal battle. The incident took place in the month of October 2023 between two colleagues at a corporate office in Al Safouh 2, Dubai. In the complainant to the UAE cyber crime law, a corporate professional claimed that the other party had sent several offensive and reputation-damaging messages over WhatsApp.
While the man who was accused of defamation admitted sending those messages, he argued that they were sent in retaliation to previous accusations. But the court wasn’t convinced.
Under the UAE cyber crime law, even a private message sent to a person can be registered as defamation or a moral violation if the content is offensive enough.
What the Court Ordered and Why It Matters So Much
The court’s decision came on April 24, 2025. The sentence included:
- A one-month ban from accessing the internet or any digital networks
- Confiscation of the mobile phone used in the offence
- Deletion of all offensive messages
- A fine of Dh5,000
- A temporary travel ban while the case was active
The judge also issued a specific restriction: the defendant is not allowed to activate or use any new SIM cards or access any online platform during the penalty period. That means no internet, no new social media accounts, and no digital workarounds.
“This ruling shows the UAE’s firm stance on digital ethics. The UAE cyber crime law makes it clear, there are consequences for what you say online, even if you think it’s private,” said legal expert Vishal Tinani, who was part of the legal team on the case.
Why Everyone Should Pay Attention to UAE Cyber Crime Law
This case is a clear example that in the UAE, both digital messages are treated with the same legal weight as in-person conversations or published statements.
Here are a few key advice for residents and visitors:
- Don’t assume WhatsApp or private messages are safe zones. UAE cyber crime law protects individuals from digital insults, harassment, or threats no matter the platform.
- Retaliation is not a defence. Even if someone starts an argument, your response must remain respectful and legal.
- Tech-specific penalties are real. Banning internet access or seizing phones are tools courts can use to deliver meaningful punishment.
- Deleted doesn’t mean forgotten. Digital messages can be retrieved, translated, and used in court as evidence.
The UAE has made digital safety and civility a top priority in recent years. As lives began to depend more on online platforms, the UAE cyber crime law has evolved to ensure that digital platforms aren’t lawless spaces.
A New Era of Online Accountability
Does this case become so significant because it reflects a cultural shift? The UAE isn’t just punishing tech misuse, it’s teaching digital responsibility. The man in question likely never imagined that a WhatsApp chat could cost him his internet privileges, his phone, and a dent in his reputation. But now he and many others will think twice.
The UAE cyber crime law was never meant to create fear, but to set boundaries in a world where digital lines often blur. So the next time you’re about to text off an angry message, pause for a moment. In the UAE, your online words matter just as much as your real-world actions and now.
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