DUBAI: A man has been detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over a comedy Internet video that went viral. In the video, the man is seen dressed as an Emirati and pretending to buy luxurious cars with wads of cash. The state news agency, WAM, reported that the UAE resident is accused of posting content that stirs up public opinion and harms the public interest. His detention is pending investigations and was ordered by the Federal Prosecution for Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes. The man has also been charged with publishing content that insults the Emirati society.
The man, who is originally from an Asian country, is filmed wearing traditional Emirati robes as he enters a luxury car showroom accompanied by two assistants carrying a large tray of cash. Speaking English with a Gulf Arab accent, he asks for the highest-priced car but rejects it, claiming that it is not expensive enough at 2.2 million dirhams (RM2.78 million). He humorously expresses his need for an even more expensive car and proceeds to effortlessly order four pricey cars, including a Rolls-Royce, within seconds by tossing stacks of cash to the store assistants.
However, this video has caused controversy and offended the Emirati society. The WAM report states that the video “reveals impudence and a lack of appreciation for the value of money, in a manner that promotes a wrong and offensive mental image of Emirati citizens, ridiculing them”. As a result, the Public Prosecution office has summoned the owner of the car showroom. Additionally, social media users are being urged to take into consideration the societal characteristics and embedded values of the UAE society to avoid facing legal consequences.
The UAE has strict laws against spreading rumors and false information, which heavily regulate Internet discourse in the country. In a recent case, a woman received a six-month suspended prison sentence for posting a video of an exchange at a UAE book fair with a Kuwaiti author who had been imprisoned in the United States for sex offenses. The woman was also fined 60,000 dirhams (RM75,953) for invasion of privacy and insults, and her Twitter account was permanently closed, according to a previous report by WAM.
It is important for individuals to be mindful of these laws and consider the potential impact of their online content, especially when it comes to cultural sensitivities and values. Failure to do so could lead to legal consequences, as demonstrated by these recent cases. In January 2021, the Public Prosecution summoned several people for sharing social media footage of a Yemeni rebel attack on Abu Dhabi.
As technology continues to shape our lives and influence our actions, it is crucial to navigate the online world responsibly and respect the laws and norms of the societies in which we live.
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
