UAE public warned against illegally accessing government data

WAM

Anyone caught accessing government or confidential files online without proper authorisation will face imprisonment and up to AED 2 million in fines.

That's according to the Federal Public Prosecution, which posted an awareness video on their social media platforms to remind the public about the legal implications of such "criminal acts".

They said "accessing websites" to illegally gather "confidential information (relating to) financial, commercial or economical (issues)" are considered a "cybercrime under the UAE law".

According to Article 4 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2012, the violators will face "temporary imprisonment and a fine not less than AED 250,000 and not in excess of AED 1,500,000".

The authority added that a "5-year jail term and a fine of not less than AED 500,000 and not in excess of AED 2 million" will be handed out "if the data or information (has been) deleted, omitted, deteriorated, destructed, disclosed, altered, copied, published or re-published".

More from UAE

  • Putin thanks UAE President for Russia-Ukraine mediation efforts

    UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a phone call from Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, during which they discussed various aspects of cooperation and joint efforts aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

  • UAE, IMO discuss Strait of Hormuz shipping security

    UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh has held talks with International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf.

  • UAE says OPEC, OPEC+ exit was sovereign strategic decision

    The UAE's decision to exit the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC and OPEC+) was a "sovereign strategic choice" and not "driven by political considerations", Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said on Saturday.

  • UAE, Maldives FMs discuss bilateral ties

    His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a phone call with Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam on Saturday to discuss bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.