Picture used for illustrative purpose only

The Criminal Media Centre “Wa’ai” of the UAE Public Prosecution explained on Saturday, through a post on its social media accounts, the penalties for disclosing business secrets, stressing that they must be held in trust.

Under the theme of (Business secrets must be held in trust) the Public Prosecution said that pursuant to Article 432 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 Promulgating the Crimes and Penalties Law, whoever, by virtue of his profession, craft, situation, or art, is a repository of secrets and discloses them in circumstances other than those permitted by law, or uses the same for his own benefit or for the benefit of another person, unless the secret is authorized to be disclosed or used by the person concerned with it, shall be sentenced to detention for a minimum term of one year and to a minimum fine of Dhs20,000, or either of these two penalties.

The penalty shall be imprisonment for a maximum term of five years if the offender is a public servant or entrusted with a public service and the secret is confided during, because of, or on the occasion of performing his job or service.

This comes as part of the Public Prosecution's continuous efforts to promote legal culture among members of the community and increase their awareness about the latest legislations in the country.