You had a terrible meal, the delivery never came, the salon ruined your hair. Can you say so online in the UAE? Yes — and thousands of one-star reviews prove it. But there is a line, and crossing it recently cost one influencer Dh81,000 over a restaurant review video.
Where the line sits
The distinction UAE lawyers draw is simple:
- Legitimate feedback — objective opinions about the service or product, based on your actual experience. Flavour, price, delivery time, cleanliness, comfort: all fair game, however unflattering.
- Defamation — the moment a review moves beyond the service and attacks a person's character, honour, dignity or integrity.
In the influencer case, the court found the video targeted the restaurant owner personally rather than reviewing the restaurant. That reframing — from "the food was bad" to "this person is a fraud" — is precisely what converts a review into an offence.
What it can cost
Because reviews are published digitally, the Cybercrime Law applies on top of the Penal Code's defamation provisions:
- Fines from Dh30,000 up to Dh500,000
- Imprisonment up to two years
- Confiscation of the devices used to publish
- Judicial deportation is possible for expatriates
- Civil compensation to the injured party on top of criminal fines — Dh51,000 in one recent case
Freedom of expression exists in UAE law, but the courts are explicit that it is not absolute.
How to review safely
- Stay on the service. Describe what you experienced: the wait, the bill, the result.
- Stick to verifiable facts from your genuine experience — screenshots and receipts are your friends.
- Avoid accusations you cannot prove. Calling a business a "scam" without evidence is the classic misstep.
- Never touch the owner's character, intentions or private life.
- Skip the sarcasm-heavy pile-on. Repeated posts across platforms look like a campaign, not feedback.
The same logic applies to workplace grievances: venting about a former employer by name on social media carries identical risks. If you have a genuine dispute — unpaid salary, unfair dismissal — the safe route is a MOHRE complaint or the courts, not a viral post.
Key takeaway
Review the service, never the person. Objective, experience-based criticism is legal; character attacks risk Dh30,000–500,000 fines, up to two years in jail and even deportation — and courts have already made examples.
FAQ
Can I legally leave a one-star review in the UAE?
Yes. Honest, experience-based criticism of a product or service is legitimate feedback. The offence begins when content attacks an individual's character rather than the service.
What penalties apply if a review is ruled defamatory?
Criminal fines between Dh30,000 and Dh500,000, imprisonment up to two years, device confiscation and possible deportation for expatriates — plus separate civil compensation.
Can I warn others that a company scammed me?
Only with proof. Unsubstantiated "scam" accusations are the most common trigger for defamation complaints. If you were genuinely defrauded, report to police and your bank rather than posting first.
Does deleting the post fix it?
Deletion helps but does not undo publication — cases have proceeded on screenshots. Think before posting, not after.
