Effect of cybercrime laws on protecting citizens and businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-04-2020-0055 |
| Pages | 1089-1105 |
| Date | 05 June 2020 |
| Published date | 05 June 2020 |
| Author | Hassan Younies,Tareq Na'el Al-Tawil |
| Subject Matter | Financial risk/company failure,Financial crime,Accounting & Finance |
Effect of cybercrime laws on
protecting citizens and businesses
in the United Arab Emirates
(UAE)
Hassan Younies
School of Management, New York Institute of Technology –Abu Dhabi Campus,
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and
Tareq Na’el Al-Tawil
College of Business, Zayed University –Abu Dhabi Campus, Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paperis to explore the extent to which cybercrime lawsprotect citizens and
businesses in the United Arab Emirates(UAE). Pertinent questions over the lax regulatory environment and
incomprehensiblecybersecurity policies have influencedthe discussions.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper will first offera global outlook of cybersecuritylaws and
legislation.The global outlook will present the basis for examiningbest practices that the UAE could emulate.
The paper will then examine the legislative landscape of cyber laws in the UAE, including cross-country
comparisons.The comparisons are critical, as the country’s cybercrimelaws are in their infancy phase.
Findings –The UAE has taken decisive and proactive measures to deter the threat of cybercrimes and
cyberattacks. The UAE strategy comprehensive strategy has been effective in protecting the economy
and populations fromthe adverse effects of cybercrimes. The success lies in the enactmentof comprehensive
and streamlines laws and regulationswith harsher penalties. The stringent legal measures, includinglonger
jail terms,stiffer fines and deportation of foreigners, have ensured robustdeterrence to cybercriminals.
Originality/value –The analysis has shown that the UAE has a higher score of preparedness against
cybercrimes and cyberattacks. The UAE has specifically crafted a broader and effective legislative
framework of cybercrimelaws. Although the UAE has comprehensive cybercrime laws, the remarkable level
of technological advancesin the country makes citizens and businesseslucrative targets. The UAE now has
the burdenof doubling down its legal efforts to deter emerging cybersecurityrisks.
Keywords UAE, Cyber-crimes law, Cyberbullying, Social media
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
The current pace of modern informationand communication technology has had a profound
effect on the lives of people. Technology has now becomean integral part of human living.
Businesses have also taken advantage of technology to drive innovation and
competitiveness. Nonetheless, unprecedented technological advances have also paralleled
growing concerns over cybercrimes (Farooqui, 2019). Despite their benefits, information
and communication technologies have exposed both individuals and businesses to the
increased risk of cybercrime. For example,the past decade has seen a significant increase in
the number of international and reputable firms that have experienced data breaches and
losses (Fiona, 2017). Increasingcases of hacking and phishing have not only led to massive
Effect of
cybercrime
laws
1089
Journalof Financial Crime
Vol.27 No. 4, 2020
pp. 1089-1105
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1359-0790
DOI 10.1108/JFC-04-2020-0055
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/1359-0790.htm
financial losses but alsothey have tainted the reputation of companies (Marco, 2012).On the
other hand, global citizenshave lost their identities and financial informationto hackers and
cybercriminals (Marco, 2012).The rising threat of cybercrime has influenced the enactment
of stringed laws and regulationsto protect both individuals and businesses.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the countries in the Middle East and North
Africa (MENA) region where financial and cybercrimes are major threats to national
security. The most common crimesinclude fraud, identity theft, hacking, money laundering
and theft of both financial assets and data. A major concern is that the UAE is a leading
jurisdiction for money laundering (El-Guindy, 2020). The UAE has undergone massive
economic transformations that have elevated the country into a global business center and
financial hub. The remarkable evolution of the financial sector is a significant economic
indicator for the country, but it has exposed the UAE to security threats [1]. For example,
terrorist organizations and cybercriminals are using formal and informal channels in the
UAE to launder money. Money launderinghas subsequently exposed the country’sfinancial
sector to the risk of crime in the digital era (El-Guindy, 2014). A notable finding is that
criminals and terror groups perpetrating money laundering conduct their activities outside
the country. The latter assertionexemplifies the susceptibility of the country to cyberattacks
and other forms of internet-basedcrimes.
The UAE is a unique case considering that it is the leading economy in the Gulf and global
financial hub. The status of major world business and the financial center has attracted many
multinational companies to the UAE (Farooqui, 2019). The country also has advanced
insurance and real estate sectors in both the region and globally. Specifically, the rapid growth
of the financial, real estate and insurance sectors in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have made the UAE
a highly competitive and attractive to foreign companies and businesses [2]. Sophisticated
technological innovations and offerings are the defining characteristics of the three sectors.
Nonetheless, the level and scope of technological advances have coincided with increased
susceptibility to cyberattacks and cybercrimes. The UAE Government has responded to the
rising concerns over cyberattacks with the enactment of laws and policies. The purpose of the
laws is to safeguard individuals and businesses from both overt and covert cybercrimes [3].
Nevertheless, pertinent questions have been raised over the effectiveness of the current laws
and policies in protecting individuals and businesses.
The purpose of this paper is to explore the extent to which cybercrime laws protect citizens
and businesses in the UAE. Pertinent questions over the lax regulatory environment and
incomprehensible cybersecurity policies have influenced the discussions. Section 1 of the paper
will review the prevalence of cyber threats in the UAE, regionally and globally. The country
cannot address cyber threats unless the authorities understand the magnitude of the problem.
Section 2 will offer a global outlook of cybersecurity laws and legislation. The global outlook will
present the basis for examining best practices that the UAE could emulate. Section 3 will examine
the legislative landscape of cyber laws in the UAE, including cross-country comparisons. The
comparisons are critical, as the country’s cybercrime laws are in their infancy phase. Section 4
will focus on the implications of the cyber security laws on both individuals and nosiness entities,
with emphasis on the safety of citizens and individuals. The aim of the fourth section is to find
out if the current laws and policies are effective considering that they are either poorly drafted or
under-drafted. Finally, Section 5 will present recommendations for policy cha nges and best
practices based on the findings from the second section.
2. Background and the scope of cyber threats
The era of big data, automationand internet of things (IoT) has led to the intertwining of the
global society with the internet. Although technology has greater benefits for humanity, it
JFC
27,4
1090
To continue reading
Request your trial