Courts now have the power to confiscate devices, software and content used for scams.

Although the pandemic brought the world to a screeching halt, it also accelerated the migration of people towards the online realm for completing daily tasks, in countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and their neighbours in the gulf, which had the advantage of glitch-free connectivity along with availability of latest devices. Even as this development was a silver lining amidst the gloomy shadow of a healthcare crisis, a surge in digital activity also coincided with the rise of online scams, phishing attacks and data heists, which have been described by Emirati authorities as a 'cyber pandemic'.

As cyber-security authorities struggled to keep up with the pace of a massive digital transition which was followed by rapid innovation by hackers to breach existing cyber fences, new norms were brought in as the police in Emirati cities cracked down on online crime. In a recent upgrade to laws for tightening screws on cyber-crooks as well as other dubious actors in the virtual space, UAE has introduced measures like increased penalties of people who click pictures of others in public without their permission, before uploading the images on social media.

The provision aimed at holding content creators, vloggers and influencers accountable for the material they post online, is accompanied by restrictions that punish netizens for spreading fake news. Further changes to cybercrime regulations for 2022 include mechanisms to tackle internet users that cause damage to digital platforms and databases.

As it provides authorities power to impose a fine of AED500,000 on people violating privacy of others, the framework also recommends imprisonment for those who intentionally disrupt the functioning of public service web portals. To empower courts in the fight against cybercrime, the enhanced law allows confiscation of devices, software or content, which has been used to pull off online scams.

Websites violating cyber norms can also be blocked, by the order of UAE's general attorney as part of his new powers.