What does the prosecution look at?
The volume and content of messages, whether the recipient asked you to stop, and whether you used multiple accounts or numbers. A single heated message is different from months of contact after a request to stop.
What should I do about contact now?
Stop contact. Do not reply, do not send explanations and do not ask others to pass messages. Preserve the whole thread, including messages that do not help you. A selective screenshot is easy to challenge.
What defences are available?
Lack of intent, context of a genuine dispute, absence of objection, or misidentification of the sender. See online defamation for related allegations.
Documents to have ready
- Full message history
- Account and number details
- Any request to stop contact
- Summons or complaint
- Background documents
Send us the documentsA short message and the key papers are enough for a first assessment.
WhatsApp usCommon questions
Is a business reminder harassment?
Not usually, unless it continues after objection or contains threats or abuse.
Can I contact the complainant to apologise?
Only after advice. A message can be used as evidence.
More on cybercrime defence
This page is general information on UAE criminal law as we understand it at the date of drafting, with references to the legislation by name. Penalties depend on the exact article charged, the facts and any aggravating or mitigating circumstances, so we do not quote ranges here. It is not legal advice, and no result is guaranteed.