Federal Public Prosecution Warns Against Accessing Websites To Obtain Government Data, Or Confidential Information Without Authorization

The UAE Public Prosecution has warned against accessing websites, electronic information system, computer network, or information technology means without authorization whether such access is intended to obtain government data, or confidential information relating to a financial, commercial or economical facility

In a video clip posted today (Friday) on its social media platforms, the Public Prosecution clarified the punishment of committing such actions, which are considered a cybercrime under the UAE Law

According to Article 4 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2012 on combating cybercrimes, shall be punished by temporary imprisonment and a fine not less than Dhs. 250,000 and not in excess of Dhs. 150,0000 whoever accesses a website, electronic information system, computer network, or information technology means without authorization whether such access is intended to obtain government data, or confidential information relating to a financial, commercial or economical facility

The punishment shall be imprisonment for a period of at least 5 years and a fine not less than Dhs. 500,000 and not in excess of Dhs. 2,000,000, if these data or information were deleted, omitted, deteriorated, destructed, disclosed, altered, copied, published or re-published

The Public Prosecution highlighted the importance of the Federal Decree-Law No. 5 of 2012 on combating cybercrimes, emphasizing its significant role in fighting new crimes that emerge along with the rapid technological developments. "Under this law, these crimes can be addressed in a constitutional and legal deterrent manner that minimizes the negative impacts resulting from the misuse of modern technologies on the social and economic interests of the UAE and individuals," it added.