Is online harassment a crime in the UAE?

Yes, online harassment can be a crime in the UAE. Conduct such as repeatedly sending abusive or threatening messages, insulting someone, invading their privacy, or using electronic means to disturb or intimidate them is addressed by Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes, alongside provisions of the Penal Code. The law protects people from insults, threats, blackmail, privacy violations and the misuse of technology to harm others, so persistent online abuse directed at an identifiable victim can support a complaint. If you are being harassed, preserve the evidence, including messages, account details and screenshots, and consider blocking the person while keeping records. You can then report the matter to the police or the relevant emirate's e-crime channel, such as Dubai Police's eCrime platform or Abu Dhabi's Aman service. The Public Prosecution can investigate and pursue the offender, and penalties are set by the law and the court. For help assessing whether the behaviour amounts to a crime and how to respond, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.