Woman fined Dhs30,000 for insulting another via social media in UAE

The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Cases Court ruled that a woman must pay Dhs30,000 in compensation to another woman for insulting her via social media. The court found that the offending comments were made on photos and videos, and in private messages, and were of a personal nature. Subsequent to this, a criminal case was filed against her, and a ruling was issued convicting her, alleging that her actions caused her moral and material harm.

In particular, the complainant initiated legal proceedings against the defendant, seeking a court order for the payment of Dhs150,000 in compensation for the material, moral and psychological harm she suffered as a result of the defendant's actions. Furthermore, the complainant requested that the defendant cover legal expenses, fees and attorneys' fees.

The plaintiff initiated legal proceedings on the basis that the defendant had committed an act of defamation against her by means of a social media program. This was constituted by the writing and commenting on photos and videos, and the sending of insulting phrases in private. Consequently, a criminal lawsuit was initiated and a judgment was issued, resulting in her experiencing moral and material harm. This prompted her to file the present lawsuit, accompanied by the specified requests.

The Court indicated that the foundation for the defendant's prosecution stemmed from the prior criminal case, wherein it was established that the defendant had committed an act of verbal abuse against the complainant through information technology apparatus, specifically a social media platform.

The Court had ruled in absentia, convicting the accused and imposing a fine of Dhs250,000. The court also ordered the confiscation of the devices used in the commission of the crime, the deletion of the information or data, and the payment of the criminal fees. The ruling was rendered final.