Dubai Police Warn on Online Criticism: What You Can Post About Companies
Dubai Police arrested people over false Google Maps reviews of a company. Here is where an honest complaint ends and a punishable post begins, including reviews of employers.
By Vadim Kouznetsov, published
Dubai Police have warned residents that online criticism has legal limits, after a group of people were arrested for posting false negative reviews about a company on Google Maps. Honest opinions are allowed, police said, but comments used deliberately to damage a person's or business's reputation can lead to prosecution.
The warning came from Major Yasser Juma Mohammed, head of the Social Media Crimes Section at Dubai Police, speaking on the Dubai Police Podcast, Khaleej Times reported.
The Google Maps review case
The company's management filed a complaint after a run of negative reviews that it said was hurting its business. According to Major Yasser, investigators found that several commercial shops had allegedly formed groups to post false comments about the company, causing it financial losses.
Dubai Police set up a team to examine the accounts and identify the people behind them. The suspects were arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution.
One detail stands out: those involved had posted about the company without ever visiting its premises. That is the line between a review and a deliberate attack.
What you can post about a company or employer
You are free to share your opinion online. Based on the police guidance, an honest post generally:
- describes your own real experience, such as a visit, a purchase or a job you actually did;
- sticks to what happened, without invented claims;
- criticises the service, not a person's character.
If you have a genuine problem with an employer, such as unpaid wages, the official route is usually more effective than a public post. MoHRE lets you report unpaid salaries anonymously, and the complaint goes to the people who can actually act on it.
What can get you into legal trouble
Major Yasser said comments can bring legal accountability when they move from opinion to insulting or defaming someone. Cybercrimes on social media and other platforms can include insults, threats, spreading rumours, electronic fraud and hacking accounts.
Watch out for these:
- False reviews: posting about a business you never dealt with, or inventing problems.
- Coordinated attacks: joining a group to flood a company with negative comments.
- Insults and personal attacks: naming and abusing a manager or colleague rather than describing an issue.
- Resharing rumours: accountability can extend to people who reshare rumours, as well as the original poster.
- Outdated information: even an official announcement can go out of date when rules change, so check before you repost it.
For a recent example of how private messages can also lead to court, see the WhatsApp voice note insult case.
Fake accounts do not protect you
Major Yasser cautioned against assuming an anonymous or fake account will keep you safe. Dubai Police officers are trained to investigate such accounts and gather information that can identify the people behind them, he said.
He urged users to think about the impact of a post on the person or business named, verify information before sharing it and rely on official sources. During crises and emergencies, residents should follow official instructions and avoid circulating unverified images or videos.
For guidance on online fraud and digital threats, Dubai Police runs the eCrime Hub awareness platform. Our guide to the Dubai Police cybercrime hub explains how it works.
Key takeaway
Honest reviews based on your own experience are allowed in the UAE, but false reviews, insults, defamation and resharing rumours can lead to arrest and prosecution. Fake accounts can be traced, so post only what you can stand behind and take employer disputes through official channels.
FAQ
Can I leave a negative review of a company in Dubai?
Yes, if it is honest and based on your own experience. Dubai Police said opinions are allowed, but comments used deliberately to damage a reputation can cross the legal line.
Can I be arrested for a fake Google review in the UAE?
Yes. In the case Dubai Police described, people who posted false negative Google Maps reviews about a company were arrested and referred to the Public Prosecution.
Is it illegal to reshare a rumour on social media?
It can be. Major Yasser warned that legal accountability may extend to people who reshare rumours, as well as those who first publish them.
Will a fake account hide my identity?
Not reliably. Dubai Police said its officers are trained to investigate fake accounts and identify the people behind them.
How should I complain about my employer instead of posting online?
Use official channels. For unpaid wages, MoHRE offers a salary complaint that does not reveal your identity to your employer.
Further reading
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