Individuals who share fake news and misinformation on social media about coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will face imprisonment, according to UAE Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi.
Al Shamsi on Monday warned citizens and residents that the UAE government will not hesitate to press charges against rumormongers and fake news peddlers, adding that they may be jailed depending on the severity of the crime they committed.
“UAE security authorities will take strict measures and harsh penalties ranging from one year to several years prison term will be handed down to rumormongers proportionally to the panic caused by the rumors,” he said in press briefing.
This call comes after CID agents detected misleading and fictitious audio and video clips circulating on social media about the degree of the contagion in the Gulf state as well as actions taken by authorities to curb the spread of the disease.
According to Al Shamsi, these videos included unfounded allegations about measures to impose curfew or control their daily lives and asked the public to remain calm and refrain from sharing these rumors.
The Attorney General underscored that these purveyors of misinformation undermine the security and stability of the society, harboring fear and panic to the residents and citizens and causing menace to the progress of the UAE.
He pointed out that those found spreading false information may be held accountable and face imprisonment not less than a year pursuant to the articles of the Federal Criminal Law and the Federal Law to Combat Cybercrime.
Al Shamsi added that violators will be placed in the docks to stand trial and will be confronted with tough punishment based on the judge’s opinion upon completing a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, Al Shamsi called on members of the society to only follow official sources of information such as committee tasked by the government to handle the crisis and statements of ministries and concerned agencies regarding news about coronavirus in the UAE.
He also reiterated that the UAE remains committed to ensure the health and well-being of its citizens and residents through its competent and efficient state agencies on the frontline of its fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
