Posting negative reviews about businesses, employers or individuals online in the UAE is not in itself a crime. However, reviewers may face criminal liability if their comments amount to insults, defamation or an invasion of privacy. Under the UAE Cybercrime Law, some offences may carry imprisonment, a fine of between AED 250,000 and AED 500,000, or both.

Ashish Mehta, lawyer and founder of Ashish Mehta & Associates, addressed questions about the legal consequences of posting negative online reviews, criticising employers and making complaints against individuals on social media in an article published on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

He said there is an important legal distinction between expressing genuine, documented dissatisfaction with a product or service and publishing broad, insulting allegations that damage a person’s reputation. The content of the statements, how they are published and the circumstances of each case all play a role in determining legal liability.

AED 250,000 to AED 500,000 fine for online insults and defamation

Under Article 43 of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes, anyone who uses the internet or information technology to insult another person or attribute conduct or characteristics to them that could expose them to punishment or contempt may face imprisonment, a fine ranging from AED 250,000 to AED 500,000, or both.

Depending on the content published and the legal circumstances, these provisions may also apply to social media posts, Google reviews, website comments and other forms of digital content.

Article 425 of the UAE Crimes and Penalties Law of 2021 also provides for up to two years in prison or a fine of up to AED 20,000 for publicly attributing an incident to another person that could expose them to punishment or public contempt.

Under Article 426 of the same law, publicly insulting a person’s honour or dignity without alleging a specific incident may also carry up to one year in prison or a fine of up to AED 20,000.

The nature of the offence, the method used to publish the content and the circumstances of each case will determine which provisions apply and what penalty may be imposed.

When can a negative review lead to legal trouble?

According to the legal expert, describing a genuine experience involving the purchase of a product or receipt of a service, using respectful language and supporting evidence, is legally different from publicly accusing someone of a crime or making personal insults.

For example, describing delays in the delivery of goods, poor service quality or unmet customer expectations is not necessarily the same as accusing a person or company of fraud.

However, Mehta stressed that having supporting documents does not automatically make it lawful to publish every type of information publicly. The legal circumstances of each case must be assessed separately.

He advised users to distinguish between verifiable facts and personal opinions or speculation when expressing dissatisfaction, and not to present unverified claims as established facts.

What are the penalties for sharing screenshots of conversations and private information?

Another issue that may expose internet users in the UAE to legal liability is the publication of private conversations, personal images, contact details or other confidential information.

Under Article 44 of the UAE Cybercrime Law, invading someone’s privacy through digital means may, where the conditions set out in the article are met, carry at least six months in prison, a fine ranging from AED 150,000 to AED 500,000, or both.

In some circumstances, these provisions may apply even when the information published is accurate. The fact that an image, message or personal detail is genuine does not necessarily make its public disclosure lawful.

How can a complaint be made without creating legal problems?

The legal expert advised UAE residents posting negative online reviews to describe their genuine experiences accurately and respectfully, while avoiding insults, unproven allegations and the disclosure of other people’s private information.

He said retaining evidence such as purchase invoices, payment receipts, correspondence and documents relating to service quality could help support a complaint, although possessing such evidence does not automatically make it lawful to publish all the details publicly.

Mehta also advised people dissatisfied with a company’s services to first raise the matter with its management or complaints department. In employment disputes, individuals should use official complaint procedures and approach the relevant authorities.

Where a complaint concerns suspected criminal conduct, reporting the matter to the police and judicial authorities is a more appropriate course of action than publishing public allegations on social media.

In summary, posting a negative online review is not generally prohibited in the UAE. However, users should avoid making unproven allegations, insulting individuals or disclosing private information when publishing complaints or criticism.