Ajman Court Convicts Influencer for Snapchat Defamation

An Ajman Federal Court of Appeal has convicted a 48-year-old influencer on charges of defamation and insult via the Snapchat platform. The case, which aimed to destabilize a citizen's marriage, concluded with a decisive ruling on February 4, 2026.

Penalties and Rulings

The court, citing Federal Law No. 34 of 2021 Concerning Combatting Rumors and Cybercrimes, fined and penalized the defendant as follows:

Monetary Fine: AED 30,000.
 Confiscation of Instrument: Permanent confiscation of the mobile phone used to commit the crime.
Digital Cleanup: Immediate removal of all offensive content under the direct supervision of the Public Prosecution.
 Legal Costs: The defendant is required to pay all court costs.

Case Details: Exploiting Cyberspace to Sow Discord

According to case documents, the dispute began in late 2024 when the defendant published videos in the "Memories" section of Snapchat, accusing the plaintiff (a mother and wife) of immoral behavior and claiming to possess scandalous documents and images against her. Forensic and technical analysis of the defendant's phone proved the attribution of these materials to her account and her deliberate intent to threaten and ridicule the plaintiff.

A Legal Victory: Change in Calculating the Complaint Deadline

This case represents a legal milestone in the UAE judicial system. Previously, the complaint had been rejected due to exceeding the three-month deadline from the publication date. However, the Federal Supreme Court overturned previous rulings, stipulating that:

In cybercrime cases, the three-month complaint deadline is calculated not from the date of publication, but from the date the victim becomes aware of the content. This decision paves the way for justice in cases where offensive content is published secretly or in private groups.

Civil Dimensions and Compensation

In addition to the criminal penalty, the plaintiff sought AED 51,000 in temporary compensation for psychological and moral damages. The court accepted the general claim and referred the civil case to the competent court to determine the exact amount of damages, aiming to prevent the collapse of the family unit due to cyber defamation.