Figure 1. An increased use of online platforms by the public. Source: Unsplash.
Cyberspace has been an infrastructure that has proved to be critical, especially during the time of the pandemic. Due to the increasing dependence on online platforms, the need to protect personal data and prevent its digital exploitation is crucial to minimise the risk faced by individuals and society. The general public must also be aware of the laws and the rights they have within the cyber territory of the country in which they are residing in. The cybercrime law of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been made strong through multiple amendments, thereby assisting the authorities and ensuring the safety of the residents.
Amending the Federal Law Concerning Combating Information Technology Crimes of 2006 (Federal Law No. 2 of 2006), the Federal Law on Combating Cybercrimes of 2012 (Federal Law No. 5 of 2012), commonly known as the Cybercrime Law, is the foundation of the governing framework for confronting the cybercrime conduct in the UAE. The Federal Law No. 2 of 2018 modified the Cybercrime Law imposing stricter punishments or penalties on those who try to violate the provision of this foregoing law. Due to the increase in cyber incidents, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) launched the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2019 [1] to create a powerful and protected cyber infrastructure. Moreover, the courts are empowered to issue deportation orders if deemed necessary.
Figure 2. Protection from digital exploitation is essential. Source: Unsplash.
The different articles of the New Cybercrime Law [2] regulate penalties and punishments when violations arise in notable areas such as:
· Accessing electronic sites (Art. 2),
· Private information regarding online payment such as credit card numbers, electronic card numbers, bank account statements etc. (Art. 12) and its forgery (Art. 13),
· Medical related data (Art. 7),
· Defamation (Art. 20),
· Contempt of religion (Art. 35),
· Human trafficking (Art. 23),
· Programs or ideas that promote disorder, racism or sectarianism and damage social unity (Art. 24),
· National security (Arts. 28, 29 and 30),
· Activities and materials that prejudice public morals such as gambling and/or pornographic content (Arts. 17 and 19),
· Weapons trade and terrorist activities (Arts. 25 and 26),
· Narcotics and money laundering (Art 37),
· Electronic communications and online services (Arts. 10, 15 and 34),
· Unlicensed collection of donation or promotion of demonstration and unauthorised trading of antiquities and works of art (Arts. 27, 32 and 33).
Residents of the UAE have convenient and easily accessible means to report cybercrimes such as through the eCrime and Dubai Police websites or through the app released by the UAE federal prosecution: My Safe Society. The UAE Digital Wellbeing Support Line employs dedicated experts to provide professional advice on practical matters that the public face daily in the digital world. Currently, the contents of the support line initiated by the Digital Wellbeing Council is only available in Arabic. The digital security of individuals is maintained through the UAE Pass app, Emirates ID and SmartPass. The Dubai Data Law (Law No. 26 of 2015 on the Organization of Dubai Data Publication and Sharing) seeks to protect data and maintain the privacy of all individuals including that of children.
Figure 3. My Safe Society App. Source: Google Play Store.
The Ministry of Interior and the National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing launched the ‘Child Digital Safety’ initiative in March 2018 to educate children and school students about the advantageous nature of a safe and constructive internet usage and to create awareness about the threats and challenges in the cyberspace. The Wadeema’s Law (Art 29 of Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 Concerning Child Rights) requires telecommunications companies and internet service providers to notify the concerned authorities about the digital circulation of any child pornography materials and provide the necessary details on persons, entities or sites that broadcast such material or intend to mislead the children.
The e-Commerce Law (Federal Law No. 1 of 2006 Concerning Electronic Commerce and Transactions) controls the security of electronic transactions and preserves the authenticity and reliability of electronic data. This law derives its basis from the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law's Model Law on Electronic Commerce 1996. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority passed the Consumer Protection Regulations to safeguard the confidentiality and security of subscriber information by taking all rational and appropriate measures to avoid illicit disclosure or use of such data. As the Telecommunication Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 2003) extends statutory protection to data obtained through telecommunications service providers, the Computer Emergency Response Team was established to elevate the information security standards and defend the IT infrastructure.
Figure 4. Consumers prefer the convenience of e-commerce. Source: Unsplash
In a society that is heavily reliant on the digital realm, it is necessary to have an efficient and effective cybersecurity program. Any organisation that is trusted with confidential data is required to address digital business, risk management, and compliance challenges with people, processes, and technology at its core. The identification and prioritisation of these components provides the UAE with the rationale to build a strong cybersecurity for its citizens.
[1] Available at https://www.tra.gov.ae/userfiles/assets/Lw3seRUaIMd.pdf
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