ABU DHABI : A court in the United Arab Emirates has ordered a female social media influencer to pay a total fine of 81,000 dirhams after finding her guilty of defamation for posting a video against a well‑known restaurant.
According to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, the influencer recorded and uploaded a video in which she questioned the restaurant owner’s integrity and business practices.
The owner approached the court, arguing that the content had caused serious damage to her personal and business reputation.
During the investigation, the woman admitted to making and posting the video but insisted it was intended as criticism. However, the court determined that the video directly targeted individuals and used derogatory language rather than offering impartial comments on services or products. It was therefore deemed defamatory.
The court ordered the influencer to pay a fine of 30,000 dirhams, delete the controversial video, and surrender the mobile phone used to record it. In addition, the court directed her to pay 51,000 dirhams in provisional civil damages to the restaurant owner, bringing the total financial penalty to 81,000 dirhams.
In its ruling, the court clarified that while consumers have the right to express opinions on products and services, they cannot damage reputations, make defamatory allegations, or attack personal character.
It is pertinent to mention here that under UAE law, defamation, insult, and spreading false or misleading information on social media are punishable offenses, carrying penalties that may include imprisonment and fines. The Cybercrime Law stipulates fines ranging from 250,000 to 500,000 dirhams in certain cases, with imprisonment possible for spreading false information.
