A UAE-based social media influencer has been ordered to pay a total of Dh81,000 after a court ruled that a video she posted about a local restaurant crossed the line from honest critique into defamation. While the creator claimed her post was simply a review of the establishment, investigators found that she had launched personal attacks against the owner’s integrity rather than focusing on the quality of the food or service. As a result, the court imposed a Dh30,000 fine, mandated the deletion of the video, and ordered the confiscation of her phone, alongside an additional Dh51,000 in civil compensation to the restaurant owner.

This ruling highlights a critical distinction in UAE law between fair consumer opinion and unlawful harassment. While the public is free to express dissatisfaction with products or services, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has made it clear that using social media to insult or disparage the reputation of individuals is a serious criminal offense. With strict cybercrime laws in place to prevent the spread of false information and abusive content, the verdict serves as a stark reminder that digital content creators are legally responsible for their words and must avoid personal attacks to escape severe financial and potential criminal consequences.