Assessing the Impact of the New UAE Cybercrime Law

Analysis

A new law (Federal Decree-Law No 5/2012-the “cybercrime law”), designed to combat cybercrime in the UAE, prohibits a wide range of online activities and includes significant criminal sanctions. Alexander Shepherd, Partner and Raza Rizvi, Managing Associate in Simmons & Simmons' Dubai office, discuss the new law and assess its potential impact.

Why did the law take people by surprise?