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UAE man faces $68,000 fine for swearing on WhatsApp | UAE man faces $68,000 fine for swearing on WhatsApp |
(35 minutes later) | |
Swearing at someone via WhatsApp in the UAE could land you with a $68,000 (£45,000) fine, under a new law. | Swearing at someone via WhatsApp in the UAE could land you with a $68,000 (£45,000) fine, under a new law. |
Those living in the country could also face jail, and foreigners deportation. | Those living in the country could also face jail, and foreigners deportation. |
The new law was brought to light when the UAE's supreme court ordered the retrial of a man fined $800 for the offence, arguing the fine was too lenient. | |
The man was convicted of swearing at a colleague using the smartphone instant messaging app. | The man was convicted of swearing at a colleague using the smartphone instant messaging app. |
The exact words used by the defendant were not revealed by the court, which simply said that they were "insulting", according to 7Days UAE. | The exact words used by the defendant were not revealed by the court, which simply said that they were "insulting", according to 7Days UAE. |
The claimant told police the defendant also threatened to harm him, though the defendant was cleared of the charge. | The claimant told police the defendant also threatened to harm him, though the defendant was cleared of the charge. |
The case against the man was brought under a cyber crime law introduced in the UAE in October last year that made online verbal insult a criminal offence. | The case against the man was brought under a cyber crime law introduced in the UAE in October last year that made online verbal insult a criminal offence. |
Authorities in the UAE last month warned that sending a middle finger emoji symbol would also be punishable under the law. | Authorities in the UAE last month warned that sending a middle finger emoji symbol would also be punishable under the law. |
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