Sharjah session warns on legal risks of digital media misuse”

April 24, 2026 / 12:09 AM

Sharjah 24: The Sharjah Institute of Judicial Sciences, in cooperation with the Sharjah Public Prosecution, organized an awareness session via video conference titled “Digital Media Under the Microscope of the Law: From Influence to Accountability.” This session was part of the Institute’s initiative, “Legal Awareness: A Fundamental Pillar for Enhancing Community Security,” and reflects its ongoing efforts to promote a culture of responsible use of digital platforms.

Legal responsibility in digital content sharing

The session was presented by Counselor Abdullah Saeed Al Wali, Chief Prosecutor of Al Dhaid Prosecution, who addressed the legal dimensions related to digital content. He emphasized that anything published or circulated electronically entails direct legal responsibility for its publisher, and that republishing content is a separate act subject to accountability, regardless of its source or the intention of the circulator.

Accountability and violations in the digital environment

The session highlighted the scope of legal responsibility in the digital environment, clarifying that those engaged in online media activity bear the consequences of the content published on their platforms. Furthermore, the failure to remove offending content when able to do so constitutes a separate violation punishable by law.

Crimes linked to digital media and AI risks

The session also reviewed the most prominent forms of crimes related to digital media, including misleading advertising, online defamation, and privacy violations, in addition to the growing dangers of fake content and rumors, including deepfakes created using artificial intelligence techniques, and the direct threat they pose to individuals' reputations and community security.

UAE legal framework and accountability principles

The speaker emphasized that the legislation in force in the United Arab Emirates is characterized by its flexibility and development, keeping pace with rapid digital transformations and providing a comprehensive legal framework to address emerging crimes. He stressed that ignorance of the law or claiming good faith is no excuse.