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29 March 2024

WhatsApp text: Teacher fined Dh500,000

Teacher sent curse messages to her maternal uncle on WhatsApp (Shutterstock)

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By Staff

The Dubai Criminal Court has fined a 53-year-old female Gulf teacher Dh500,000 for the misuse of WhatsApp.

The teacher sent curse messages to her maternal uncle (who belongs to a different sect) and the court found that the messages provoked strife and hatred.

According to an Emarat Al Youm report, the plaintiff, who is the uncle of the teacher, reported to the police that he received messages from his niece via the WhatsApp application containing phrases that could stir up sectarian strife.

The court convicted the teacher and fined her with Dh500,000. 

Last year, a new law underscored by the Federal Supreme Court (FSC) convicted a man of swearing at another on WhatsApp, and fined him Dh250,000.

On that occasion, the court supported an appeal by the prosecutor who argued that the earlier sentence of a Dh3,000 fine was too lenient and did not conform to the new laws that include a penalty of Dh250,000 or imprisonment for those involved in online offences.

People swearing online at others could be fined and jailed, while expatriates could also be deported from the UAE under the federal law governing internet users.