The United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities will introduce a law to combat cyber crimes by imposing tough punishment, as was recommended in the International Conference on Electronic Crimes, held in Abu-Dhabi, from May 9-10, 2005.
As reported by the Gulf News, the law will be enacted by the end of the year, and will fine or imprison individuals involved in cyber crimes.
One of these crimes outlined in the draft federal law is producing, publishing, or downloading pornographic content for distribution. Any individual involved in such acts will be fined and/or imprisoned.
If the pornographic content involves juveniles, the individual will be imprisoned for not less than six months and fined a minimum of Dh60,000.
The law also states that the Internet and other cyber technologies are not to be used to blackmail individuals or to publish scandals and information that violates the privacy of an individual.
Those who use the Internet for blackmail purposes will be jailed and fined up to Dh50,000. If the blackmail was intended to force an individual to commit a crime, the prison sentence will increase to 10 years.
Individuals who publish content that attacks religions or supports terrorist groups and their activities will be jailed and fined.
Foreigners involved in such crimes will be deported and the machinery or equipment used in the crime will be confiscated. The place in which the crime was committed will also be shut down.
The conference was held under the patronage of HE Mohammad bin Nukheira Al Zaheri, the UAE Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Awkaf, and was organized by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Training and Studies Institute in cooperation with the Business Software Alliance (BSA).