The Abu Dhabi Police have warned that spreading malicious rumours and fake news through BlackBerry messenger (BBM) is punishable by law and offenders could by jailed up to three years.

A police spokesman, quoted in Gulf News, said yesterday rumours that could cause confusion among the public and lead to destabilisation of the country's security will be dealt with severely and the groups or individuals who initiate such kind of messages will be indicted.

A special concern was raised with respect to the wide use of telecommunication devices such as BlackBerry, iPhone, Nokia and other instant messenger devices that are available for public use.

Mohammad Al Ghanem, General Manager of UAE's Telecommunications Regulation Authority (TRA), told Gulf News that the two service providers, etisalat and du, are obliged to follow any rules and regulations that are decreed by official or judicial authorities in the country.

Both providers will follow the concerns raised by Abu Dhabi police and implement policy as required by the law, he said.

He said the police warning was not exclusive to BlackBerry devices only.

"The misuse of any other telecommunication device will be treated in the same way."

Spreading rumours, he said, includes sending information through instant messenger services (BBM, and SMS) to the public without ensuring the accuracy of the piece of information.

"Spreading false information regarding fires, murder or other crimes are included in the Abu Dhabi police warning. Normally, identifying the source of the rumour is handled by a designated investigative authority," he said.