UAE residents have been warned that deliberately posting fake or defamatory online reviews can result in legal consequences, following a Dubai Police investigation into a group accused of publishing false reviews to damage a company’s reputation.
Dubai Police said the investigation began after a company complained that several businesses had organised groups to post false and damaging comments on its Google Maps page.
Authorities stressed that residents are free to share genuine experiences and criticism, but there is a distinction between an honest review and statements that are deliberately false, insulting or intended to harm another person or business.
Legal experts told The National that even deleting a review later does not necessarily remove potential liability, as screenshots and other electronic records may preserve the original post.
Residents making complaints about restaurants, shops, hotels or other businesses are therefore advised to stick to verifiable facts and their genuine experience rather than making unsupported accusations. Formal consumer-protection channels can also be used when a service or product fails to meet expected standards.