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Swearing on Whatsapp 'will result in £40,000 fine and deportation, UAE rules'

People have already been convicted under the law

Christopher Hooton
Tuesday 16 June 2015 17:02 BST
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Under a new federal law governing internet users, persons in the UAE found swearing at another online could be fined Dh250,000, while expatriates may be deported.

It's fortunate I don't live in UAE then, else I'd retrospectively owe several billion dirham.

According to Emirates247:

'The new law was underscored by the Federal Supreme Court, which overturned two lower court sentences fining a man Dh3,000 after he was convicted of swearing at another on WhatsApp.

'The court supported an appeal by the prosecutor who argued that the sentence was too lenient and did not conform to the new laws that include a penalty of Dh250,000 or imprisonment for persons involved in online offences.'

Daily newspaper Emarat Al Youm meanwhile reports that the Federal Supreme Court "supported the prosecutor’s appeal and affirmed the need for the enforcement of the law governing information technology crimes involving a Dh250,000 fine and deportation from the country".

Lewd use of emoji, including the divisive eggplant, is thought to still be legal.

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