Heavy Fine for Online Insults in UAE

30,000 Dirham Fine for Online Insults – A Warning to Social Media Users?

A recent court decision in the United Arab Emirates has once again highlighted how seriously the country takes online behavior and the consequences of digital harassment. A woman has been ordered to pay 30,000 dirhams in compensation after sending offensive comments and private messages to another woman on a social media platform. The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil, and Administrative Claims Court not only ordered the defendant to pay the compensation but also to bear the procedural costs and related fees.

What Exactly Happened?

The case began with a civil lawsuit in which the plaintiff alleged that the defendant publicly insulted her on the internet, made offensive comments on her pictures, and used humiliating words in private messages. This resulted in psychological and emotional trauma for the victim, who demanded 150,000 dirhams in compensation for moral and material damages. A separate criminal proceeding was also initiated in which the defendant was found guilty of electronic insults.

The Court's Standpoint

In its justification for the verdict, the court emphasized that the judiciary has the right to determine whether an offense has occurred, provided that the evidence and circumstances support it. The documents available in the case and the records of the criminal trial clearly established that the defendant "used insulting language through electronic communication devices."

During the decision, the court cited the UAE Civil Transactions Law, which states: "Whoever causes harm to another is obliged to compensate for it." The concept of moral damage was also defined in detail as something that damages a person's dignity, emotions, honor, or reputation.

Material and Moral Compensation – Only One Granted

Out of the 150,000 dirhams compensation demanded by the plaintiff, the court ultimately awarded 30,000 dirhams as moral damages. The request for material compensation was denied as there was not enough evidence to show financial loss.

What Does This Mean for Social Media Users?

This verdict sends a clear message to everyone living in the UAE: the online space is not exempt from legal consequences. Verbal attacks and insults committed on the internet can have severe repercussions — both in criminal and civil legal terms.

In the digital world, it is becoming increasingly common for personal conflicts to continue online, sometimes in harsh and humiliating forms. However, the United Arab Emirates clearly marks the boundaries: those who violate the dignity of others — even with just a few words or comments — are accountable and must pay damages.

Final Thoughts

The freedom of online communication should not be confused with behavior without consequences. The example of the UAE shows well how to effectively act against online harassment and insults within legal frameworks. Such precedents remind us that every digital interaction can leave a mark — and may even end up in court.

(Source of the article is based on the judgment of the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil, and Administrative Claims Court.)