What counts as defamation under UAE law?

Under UAE law, defamation broadly covers two things: slander, where you attribute to a person a fact or accusation that exposes them to punishment, contempt or harm to their honour, and insult, where you say something that offends a person's dignity or reputation even without a specific accusation. When these are committed through an electronic means, such as social media, messaging apps, email or websites, they fall under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes; offline, the Penal Code applies. Importantly, the statement does not have to be a direct curse: publicly accusing someone of theft, fraud or immoral conduct without proof, sharing damaging claims, or insulting language directed at an identifiable person can all qualify. Privacy violations, such as publishing someone's photos or private information without consent, are treated as separate offences. Truth and intent can affect how a case is assessed, but they do not automatically remove liability. If you are unsure whether specific content crosses the line, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI for advice on your situation.