Sending an ‘emoji’ middle finger on a text message in the UAE could land you in court, a legal expert has warned.
Although not available just yet, Microsoft has announced plans to include the middle finger gesture icon on its new Windows 10 operating system when it’s launched in late July/August.
The new addition to the smileys will be the first time that an operating system will support the swearing finger, with no such gesture available as yet on iOS and Google’s Android.
Legal experts in the UAE have warned that sending the middle finger could land someone in prison, according to a report in 7Days newspaper.
Criminal defence lawyer Abdullah Yousef Al Nasir said cyber-crime law in the UAE says that anyone who sends an offensive emoji or image online could be prosecuted.
“Sending a middle finger emoji on a smartphone or even sending a middle finger picture through email can put you in trouble. It’s an insult in the UAE and the law can punish you with either jail of up to three years or a fine of up to AED500,000 [$136,128],” he said, adding that expats would likely be deported after conviction for such an offence.
In order for a prosecution to take place, however, a complaint must first be made by the person receiving the offensive swearing finger, he pointed out.
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