The UAE's new cybercrime law punishes illegally obtaining and possessing personal information about its citizens and residents with jail time and a fine of up to 500,000 Dh.

In a post on their official social media channels on Saturday, January 29, UAE Public Prosecution provided detail about the new law as outlined in Article 13 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes.

It outlined penalties for parties who unlawfully collect and process personal data and information.

According to the social media post, use of information technology or any onther means of using information technology to collect, archive, or process personal information and data related to Emiratis or residents of the State violates the regulations in force in the State, which will result in detention, imprisonment, or a fine ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 dirhams.

In anticipation of the new UAE cybercrime law, which comes into force in January 2022, the UAE Public Prosecution has been raising awareness. In earlier warnings, the authority had outlined severe penalties for those who 'make fun' of COVID-19 rules as well as for spreading rumours and false news in the UAE.