As the ongoing cyber war continues to affect the Arab region, the authorities in UAE issued on August 13, 2012, Decree no. 3 of 2012. This Decree addresses the rise in electronic crime in the country which embraces such crimes as internet crimes, cyber terrorism, creation and/or distribution of viruses, hacking, system interference, illegal access and interception. It aims at establishing a national authority for fighting against these cyber crimes. Decree no. 3 of 2012 will become effective starting the second day following its publication in the Official Gazette.

The objectives of the new Decree are as follows:

-Ensuring the government’s commitment to fight against cybercrime.
-Implementing enough measures towards ensuring cyber security.
-Setting a national plan to face any threats or abductions on cyber safety.
-Providing quality control on data protection.
-Giving enough professional and consulting support to the related parties.
-Receiving and solving cybercrime complaints.
-Covering all expenses for studies and research, in order to increase the efficiency of cyber safety.
-Creating awareness of the importance of cyber safety.

Within the changing framework of the cyber world, many noteworthy developments have influenced the legal framework of the Arab region, by implementing and promulgating legislations in order to ensure the protection of the public’s cyber security. For example, in countries such as Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Lebanon, electronic crimes are subject to legal prosecution.

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