Swearing on WhatsApp in the UAE could carry £45,000 fine or jail.

WhatsApp users swearing at each other in Dubai or Abu Dhabi may face a £45,000 fine and deportation under a new federal law.

Nigerians abroad beware - swearing at someone over WhatsApp could land you with a £45,000 fine and potential deportation under a new federal law in the UAE.

The Federal Supreme Court, based in Abu Dhabi, ordered the retrial of a man convicted of swearing at a colleague over the messaging app after the Dhs3,000 (£523) imposed fine was deemed too lenient.
 Prosecutors appealed the verdict, demanding he should be fined up to Dhs250, 000 (£43,569) or face jail.

The defendant was prosecuted under the Cyber Crimes Law after the claimant presented his mobile phone to prove he had been sent "insulting words" in a WhatsApp message, although the exact terms were not revealed in court documents, according to 7Days UAE.

The claimant also told police the defendant had threatened to harm him, though he was later cleared of these charges.

Expatriates convicted under the same law may face deportation from the country, according to Emarat AL Youm daily.

Source: The Telegraph.