“April Fools’ Day” is a joke that doubles the punishment in times of crisis

Legal experts have warned against being led into what is being circulated under the name “April Fool’s Day,” stressing that UAE law does not recognize this concept as an exception or a place for joking, but rather treats any incorrect or unauthorized content as a rumor that may expose its publisher to accountability, even if its goal is to entertain or attract interaction on social media platforms.

They emphasized that during crises and wars, the criminalization of “April Fool’s Day” expands and is not limited to spreading false information through people’s official accounts and others, but rather extends to include even information that may be true in reality but was not issued by the competent official authorities, as its circulation in these circumstances is legally treated as a rumor, because it may mislead public opinion or confuse society and threaten its stability, which may lead to doubling the penalty.

In detail, the legal advisor and lawyer, Hanan Al-Shamili, stated that “April Fool’s Day” does not exist in legal texts, and cannot be relied upon as a justification for publishing incorrect or undocumented information, explaining that legislation in the country deals with this type of content as spreading rumors or false news, whether it was initially published or recirculated.

She explained that Article (52) of Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021 regarding Combating Rumors and Cybercrimes stipulates the punishment of anyone who publishes or re-publishes false or misleading information via the information network, whenever it is likely to arouse public opinion, disturb security, or harm the public interest, noting that the punishment includes imprisonment and a fine of not less than 100 thousand dirhams, or one of these two punishments.

Al-Shamili added that legal responsibility is not limited to the person who creates the content, but extends to everyone who contributes to its circulation, including re-publishing or sending it through social media applications, pointing out that the law deals with the impact resulting from the circulation of information and not only with its primary source.

She pointed out that the penalties may escalate if the publication is directed to harm public order or mislead the public, as the penalty amounts to imprisonment for a period of not less than two years and a fine of not less than 200 thousand dirhams, according to the relevant texts in the same law, in addition to the possibility of ruling on deportation for residents as a discretionary punishment in accordance with Article (126) of the Crimes and Penal Code.

She stressed that these penalties become more severe in exceptional circumstances, such as crises, disasters, and epidemics, where legislation views rumors as a direct threat to public stability, explaining that publishing inaccurate or unauthorized information during these periods may lead to doubling the penalty due to the seriousness of its impact.

Al-Shamili explained that the matter reaches its extreme in times of war, as Article (175) of the Crimes and Penal Code stipulates severe penalties, up to death, for anyone who intentionally broadcasts false or tendentious news that would harm military preparations or weaken morale in the state, stressing that the seriousness of a rumor in these circumstances is not measured by its content only, but by its direct impact on the security and stability of the state.

In turn, the legal advisor and lawyer, Rashid Al-Hafiti, confirmed that what is being circulated under the name “April Fool’s Day” is nothing more than the publication of incorrect or undocumented information, and the same applies to any rumors that are circulating, even if they bear a positive nature or include information that does not exist in reality, stressing that the law does not consider the nature of the content or the tone of its presentation as much as it looks at its effect and source.

He explained that the legal dealing with information is not based on the criterion of its abstract validity only, but rather begins first by determining its source and whether it was issued by a competent official body, then the timing of its publication, especially in sensitive periods, leading to an assessment of its impact on society.

Al-Hafiti pointed out that publishing any information that has not been officially announced, even if it is circulated or believed to be true, may lead to creating a state of tension or confusion as a result of conflicting narratives or the absence of official confirmation, which legally places it within the scope of rumours, because the origin of such information is to be issued exclusively through approved official channels.

He added that the laws regulating the fight against rumors and electronic crimes came to control the digital space and prevent the circulation of any unreliable content that might compromise security or confuse public opinion, stressing that publishing information related to sensitive topics without an official announcement “is not considered personal diligence or an innocent transfer, but rather is classified as an explicit legal transgression that results in accountability.”

In turn, legal advisor and lawyer Khadija Suhail stressed that dealing with rumors in the digital environment is not only related to the direct act of publishing, but extends to the user’s behavior in verifying and taking responsibility before circulating any content, stressing that “the absence of intent does not eliminate responsibility if damage is achieved.”

She explained that many rumor issues begin with limited circulation within closed groups or among acquaintances, before gradually moving to a broader scope, due to repeated retransmission, which gives the content false credibility to the recipients, and is difficult to contain later, noting that this type of circulation “produces a cumulative effect that makes each participant a link in the chain of dissemination, and not just a passive recipient.”

She added that relying on video clips or circulating messages without knowing their original source or temporal context is one of the most prominent reasons for the spread of rumors, pointing out that “taking information out of its context or re-publishing it without verification may completely change its meaning and turn it into misleading content even if it is originally partially true.”

She stressed that legal responsibility is not based only on those who created the false content, but also includes everyone who contributed to recycling it or expanding its scope, especially if it comes to sensitive topics that affect security, stability, or public decisions. She stressed that the current stage requires higher digital awareness, based on verification before publishing, and understanding that the speed of circulation of information does not mean its authenticity, calling for not dealing with social media platforms as a source of news, but rather as a means that requires scrutiny, and adherence to official sources is the basic guarantee of not falling into a cycle. Accountability.

In the same context, the legal advisor and lawyer, Muhammad Al-Awami Al-Mansouri, confirmed that what is known as “April Fool’s Day” is not consistent with the religious values ​​on which society is based, and does not find a basis for it in legislation, pointing out that Islamic law encouraged honesty in word and deed, and made it one of the greatest morals, citing the description of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, as “truthful and trustworthy,” which necessitates emulating him in investigating the truth and avoiding lying under any justification.

He explained that these practices, in addition to violating values, fall under the law of publishing incorrect or misleading information when it results in an impact on society or misleading public opinion, pointing out that the laws punish publishing or re-publishing such content, even if it is out of humor or with the aim of attracting attention.

He added that “any content that is circulated with the intention of drawing attention or achieving spread, if it is incorrect or undocumented, may put its owner under legal accountability,” stressing that “the rope of lying is short and only leads us to disaster,” and that the legal and social impact of such actions may be significant, especially if they are linked to sensitive topics that affect security or stability, which calls for greater awareness in dealing with information.

Al Mansouri said, “Commitment to honesty is not only a moral duty, but it is also a legal obligation, and people must adhere to the rule (always tell the truth and never lie), as it is a rule that protects the individual from falling into violation, and maintains the stability and trust of society.”

Hanan Al-Shamili:

• State legislation considers “April Fool’s Day” a rumor or fake news, and if the publication harms public order or misleads the public, the penalty shall be doubled to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 dirhams.