Jordan 2023 Cybercrime: What Social Media Users Need to Know

What law controls online speech, "fake news" and social media in Jordan?

Online speech in Jordan is mainly governed by the Cybercrime Law No. 17 of 2023, backed by the Penal Code and media laws like the Press and Publications Law. These laws apply to social media, messaging apps, websites, blogs, and any online content accessible from Jordan, regardless of where the server is located.

• Core statute: Cybercrime Law No. 17 of 2023 (replacing the 2015 law) is the primary law used for online posts, comments, messages and content-sharing.
• Supporting laws:
  • Jordanian Penal Code (defamation, insult, spreading rumors, contempt of religion, national security offenses)
  • Press and Publications Law No. 8 of 1998 (as amended) for news sites and registered media
  • Telecommunications Law and TRC regulations for service providers
• Main authorities:
  • Cybercrime Unit at the Public Security Directorate (investigation and digital forensics)
  • Public Prosecutor and Criminal Courts (charging, trials, sentences)
  • Media Commission (licensing and oversight of media outlets)
  • Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) (operators and platforms within its remit)
• Scope:
  • Covers Jordanians and non-Jordanians whose content is accessible inside Jordan
  • Applies to public and private content (including "friends only" posts and WhatsApp groups) once shared, forwarded or leaked
  • Covers text, images, audio, video, live streams, stories and even reactions or emojis if they are part of the harmful content

How does Jordan's Cybercrime Law define "fake news" online?

Under the 2023 Cybercrime Law, "fake news" essentially means publishing or sharing false or unverified information online that harms reputation, public order, national unity, or spreads panic. The law uses broad terms like "false news", "rumors", and "allegations", so authorities have wide discretion to treat many types of content as fake news.

Key legal concepts linked to "fake news"

• False news or rumors: Posting, re-posting, sharing or forwarding information online that:
  • you know is false, or
  • you have not verified and that turns out to be false, and
  • causes or may cause harm to public order, national security, public health, the national economy, or a person's reputation.
• Character assassination and defamation (online):
  • Attributing acts, statements or accusations to a person that could damage their honor, reputation or social standing.
  • Publishing allegations or insinuations that portray a person as corrupt, immoral, unprofessional or disloyal without adequate proof.
• Target areas the law is especially sensitive about:
  • State institutions and public officials
  • National security, public order and "national unity"
  • Financial system, banking sector and public health scares

What common online behavior can count as "fake news"?

• Sharing unverified screenshots or voice notes about:
  • food or drug contamination
  • bank failures, currency collapse, or "government bankruptcy"
  • security incidents or alleged curfews
• Posting unproven accusations of:
  • corruption or theft
  • sexual misconduct
  • professional incompetence or malpractice
• Retweeting or re-posting defamatory content about a person or company with approving comments or emojis.
• Writing click-bait headlines that exaggerate or distort facts in a way that misleads readers.

Typical penalties for "fake news" offenses

Penalties depend on the exact article used, the harm caused, and whether the target is a private person or a public body. However, the 2023 law generally treats "fake news" and online defamation as serious crimes with possible jail and notable fines.

Exact fine ranges and jail terms depend on how prosecutors classify the act under the Cybercrime Law and Penal Code. Courts can also order removal of the content, device confiscation, and blocking of websites or pages.

Practical steps to avoid "fake news" liability

1. Verify before posting or forwarding: Check at least 2 credible sources (official government accounts, reputable news outlets) before sharing dramatic claims.
2. Add clear qualifiers: If you discuss unconfirmed information, state that it is unverified and avoid naming individuals unless absolutely necessary and supported by evidence.
3. Separate opinion from fact: Use language like "in my opinion" and avoid presenting guesses as facts, especially about named people.
4. Correct and update: If new information shows your post was wrong, update and correct it quickly and visibly.
5. For journalists: Keep records of your sources, interview notes and document copies; they can be vital if you face a complaint.

What is "hate speech" under Jordanian cybercrime rules?

Under the Cybercrime Law, "hate speech" usually refers to online content that incites hatred, violence or discrimination among groups based on religion, ethnicity, region, sect, or similar identity markers. The definition is broad, so content that stirs hostility or deep division between communities can fall under "hate speech" even without explicit calls for violence.

Elements of hate speech in Jordanian law

• Protected characteristics: Religion, sect, ethnic or national origin, race, tribe, or other social groups perceived as distinct.
• Prohibited acts online:
  • Calls to violence or discrimination against a group (for example, "boycott all X", "attack Y people")
  • Content that promotes supremacy of one group over another in a way that incites hostility
  • Deliberate insults or demeaning depictions of a group that could trigger strife or conflict
• Platforms covered: Public posts, comments, memes, videos, podcasts, group messages, and pinned content.

Examples of online content that could be treated as hate speech

• Publishing a video that calls for violence against followers of a specific religion or sect.
• Repeatedly posting slurs and stereotypes about a tribe, community or nationality, combined with calls to exclude them socially or economically.
• Organizing online campaigns targeting a group with harassment and dehumanizing language.

Penalties and aggravating factors

• Penalties: Hate speech offenses typically carry jail terms and higher fines than simple insult cases, especially if:
  • the content leads to real-world incidents, or
  • the speaker has a large audience (media outlets, influencers).
• Aggravating factors:
  • Coordinated campaigns (for example, organized groups or hashtag storms)
  • Using bots or ads to amplify hate content
  • Targeting minors or vulnerable groups

Risk management for public figures and businesses

• Moderate community and comment spaces: Remove content that clearly attacks groups based on religion, origin, or sect and that incites hostility or violence.
• Train social media teams: Give clear internal guidelines on what counts as unacceptable hate content and when to escalate to legal or compliance teams.
• Avoid targeting groups: Focus criticism on policies or specific conduct, not on entire communities or identities.

What counts as "character assassination" and online defamation in Jordan?

"Character assassination" in Jordan typically means repeated or serious attacks on a person's reputation online through accusations, insinuations or ridicule that damage their honor or social standing. Online defamation can occur even if you do not use insults but imply criminality, immorality or incompetence without solid proof.

Legal building blocks of online defamation

• Victim: Any identifiable person - private individuals, business owners, professionals, influencers, journalists, and sometimes legal entities (companies, NGOs).
• Act: Publishing or sharing content that:
  • attributes a specific negative act (corruption, theft, cheating, moral scandal), or
  • uses language or images that degrade or ridicule the person in a way that harms their social or professional standing.
• Medium: Social networks, WhatsApp or Telegram groups, blogs, news websites, YouTube, TikTok, or any digital communication channel.
• Intent or negligence: Knowing the information is false, or being careless about its accuracy, can both support criminal liability.

Examples of online "character assassination"

• Posting a thread accusing a doctor of malpractice or bribery without a court decision or strong evidence.
• Publishing a "story time" video naming a person as an adulterer or abuser without clear proof and without court judgment.
• Starting a hashtag to "expose" a business owner as a thief, relying only on rumors and anonymous messages.
• Making mocking memes of a person with text that attributes criminal or immoral behavior.

Possible penalties and civil consequences

Defenses and risk reduction

• Truth with public interest: Factual reporting supported by documents, recordings, and multiple reliable sources can offer a partial defense, especially for journalists.
• Good faith and balance: Offering the subject a genuine chance to respond, and publishing their reply, may reduce legal exposure.
• Avoid personal attacks: Criticize specific policies, services or actions, not the person's character or private life.
• Keep evidence: Save contracts, messages, receipts and other proof if you publicly complain about a business or service.

What are the penalties for posting photos or videos of others without consent in Jordan?

Posting photos or videos of others without their consent can amount to a privacy or cybercrime offense, especially if the content is intimate, humiliating, or used to threaten or extort. Penalties range from fines to jail and can be severe if the content affects a person's honor, family life, or modesty.

Types of unlawful image and video use

• Non-consensual sharing of private images:
  • Sharing intimate or compromising photos and videos, even if they were originally sent consensually.
  • Posting CCTV or security footage showing individuals in private settings without their permission.
• Voyeurism and secret recording:
  • Recording someone without their knowledge in their home, car, office or other non-public spaces.
  • Using hidden cameras or microphones in places where people expect privacy.
• Humiliation or harassment:
  • Posting a video of someone in an embarrassing situation with mocking captions or comments.
  • Sharing fights, family disputes, or accidents that clearly identify individuals without their informed consent.
• Commercial use without consent:
  • Using a person's image in advertising or promotion without a signed release, especially if it implies endorsement.

Key legal provisions typically used

• Cybercrime Law 2023: Articles criminalizing:
  • Infringement of privacy via information systems
  • Threatening to publish photos or videos to extort money or favors
• Penal Code:
  • Violations of private life and secrecy of communications
  • Public indecency or offenses affecting honor and reputation

Penalties and typical outcomes

Safe practices for citizens, journalists and businesses

• Always seek explicit consent: Ideally written (message, email) before posting identifiable images or videos of private individuals.
• Blur faces and plates: Especially for accident scenes, minors, or victims of crime.
• Respect no-consent requests: If someone contacts you to remove their image or a video featuring them, respond quickly and document the interaction.
• For businesses and influencers: Use model release forms for campaigns, testimonials and user-feature content.

Are you liable for comments left by others on your social media or business page in Jordan?

Yes, page owners and admins can face liability for unlawful comments left by others if they know about those comments and fail to remove them, or if they encourage or curate such content. The more editorial control or moderation you exercise, the more likely you are to be treated as a publisher under Jordanian law.

Who is at risk of liability for third-party comments?

• Business pages: Restaurants, clinics, shops, online services that host reviews, testimonies or discussion.
• Media outlets and news pages: Especially those registered with the Media Commission and subject to the Press and Publications Law.
• Influencers and community admins: Public figures or group admins who actively moderate content or encourage specific discussions.

How liability can arise

• Defamatory comments about individuals or businesses:
  • Example: A user comments that a named doctor is a fraud or corrupt without evidence, and the clinic page leaves it up despite a complaint from the doctor.
• Hate speech or incitement:
  • Example: A comment thread on your page develops into calls to violence against a group; you see it and let it stay.
• Privacy violations:
  • Example: Users post photos of a private person with humiliating captions, and you do not remove them after being notified.

Factors courts and authorities look at

• Knowledge: Did you know or should you reasonably have known about the unlawful comment?
• Action taken: How quickly did you remove or hide the content once you became aware of it?
• Encouragement: Did you "like", pin, share, or respond approvingly to the unlawful comment?
• Scale and repetition: Is this an isolated incident or part of a recurring pattern on your page or group?

Practical moderation rules for Jordanian pages

1. Create a visible comment policy: Clearly state that defamation, hate speech, threats, and privacy violations are not allowed and will be removed.
2. Monitor high-risk posts: Pay closer attention to posts on sensitive topics (politics, religion, ethnic issues, scandals, or reviews of named individuals).
3. Respond to complaints:
   • Take seriously any message from a person claiming they are defamed or harassed in your comments.
   • Hide or remove the comments in question while you review them.
4. Use filters and tools: Use keyword filters, limited commenting, or pre-approval on platforms that offer such features.
5. Document actions: Keep screenshots and logs of harmful comments and your removal actions; they may help your defense if a case arises.

How are online speech and media cases investigated and enforced in Jordan?

Online speech and media cases in Jordan usually start with a complaint to the Cybercrime Unit or Public Prosecutor, followed by digital forensics and questioning of the accused. The process can move quickly, and authorities can request data from platforms or telecom operators.

Typical enforcement process

1. Complaint or report:
   • Filed by an individual, a company, a public body, or initiated by prosecutors on their own.
   • Usually lodged at a police station, the Cybercrime Unit, or directly with the Public Prosecutor.
2. Preliminary review:
   • Authorities capture screenshots, URLs and initial evidence.
   • They check the content against relevant articles of the Cybercrime Law and Penal Code.
3. Tracing the account:
   • Cybercrime Unit works with telecom operators and sometimes platforms to identify the user behind the account or IP address.
   • They may seize devices (phones, laptops) for forensic analysis.
4. Summoning or arrest:
   • You may receive a phone call or written summons to appear.
   • In serious or sensitive cases, police may arrest you directly, especially if there is fear of evidence destruction or flight.
5. Prosecutor stage:
   • Public Prosecutor questions you, reviews evidence, and decides whether to file charges.
   • Pre-trial detention is possible in serious cases (for example, national security, hate speech, major defamation).
6. Court proceedings:
   • Hearings involve witness testimony, technical reports, and legal arguments.
   • Courts can order deletion of content, blocking of sites, fines, jail, and compensation.

Timelines and costs

Immediate steps if contacted by authorities

• Ask politely which article of law you are being investigated under and for what specific content.
• Contact a lawyer before giving detailed statements or handing over passwords.
• Do not tamper with evidence (for example, mass deletion of accounts) without first getting legal advice.
• Gather your own evidence: original posts, context, messages, and any proof that supports your intentions and accuracy.

When should you hire a media/technology lawyer or expert in Jordan?

You should engage a Jordanian media/technology lawyer as soon as you receive a complaint, summons or credible threat of legal action concerning online content. For businesses and journalists, it is wise to involve a lawyer earlier to design policies that reduce the risk of criminal and civil liability.

Situations where legal help is strongly recommended

• You received a call or summons from police or the Cybercrime Unit: Do not go alone to questioning in serious or sensitive matters; a lawyer can protect your rights and manage your statements.
• You run a media outlet, news site, or large social media account: Pre-publication review procedures and legal vetting of high-risk stories can prevent expensive cases later.
• Your business relies on online reviews or user content: A lawyer can help draft comment policies, terms of use and internal protocols that reduce your exposure for user posts.
• You are a frequent commentator on political or social issues: Legal training on what crosses the line into criminal speech can help you communicate safely.
• You are a victim of online defamation or privacy violation: A lawyer can help you choose between criminal complaint, civil lawsuit, negotiation, or platform-based removal strategies.

What a specialist can do for you

• Review your content or policies against the Cybercrime Law, Penal Code and media laws.
• Draft notices and replies to authorities, complainants and platforms.
• Assist with police and prosecutor interactions, including negotiating bail or lesser charges.
• Represent you in court and pursue or defend against compensation claims.
• Train your staff or team on safe digital communications and moderation practices.

What are the next steps to protect yourself and your business under Jordan's online speech laws?

To protect yourself and your organization, audit your online habits and platforms, then introduce concrete policies and routines that reduce legal risk. Combine internal discipline (what you post) with external safeguards (moderation, legal support, and documentation).

Action plan for individuals

1. Clean up your accounts:
   • Review past posts, comments, and shared content that name individuals or criticize groups.
   • Delete or edit anything that might be read as factual allegations without proof, or as hate speech or privacy violations.
2. Adopt a "pause and check" rule:
   • Wait before posting when you are angry; verify facts and tone.
   • Avoid naming individuals or sharing their images unless necessary and justified.
3. Keep evidence of good faith:
   • Save screenshots of sources, official statements, and context for your posts, especially if they are critical or investigative.
4. Know your rights and limits:
   • Learn the basic categories of prohibited speech: defamation, false news, hate speech, privacy violations, threats and extortion.

Action plan for businesses, media outlets and influencers

1. Draft or update your social media and comment policy:
   • Define unacceptable content (defamation, hate, threats, privacy breaches) and removal rules.
   • Make the policy public on your website or page.
2. Set up moderation workflows:
   • Assign responsible staff to monitor comments, especially on high-risk posts.
   • Establish clear timelines for acting on complaints (for example, within 24 hours).
3. Train your team:
   • Provide regular training on what counts as "fake news", "hate speech", character assassination, and privacy violations in Jordan.
   • Include practical examples from your own sector.
4. Build a relationship with a specialist lawyer:
   • Arrange for quick consultations on borderline posts or campaigns.
   • Prepare a response plan for when you face a complaint or media controversy.
5. Use technical safeguards:
   • Implement keyword filters and limited comment settings on sensitive topics.
   • Maintain secure backups and logs to show your moderation history if needed.

By understanding how Jordan's Cybercrime Law treats fake news, hate speech, character assassination, and unauthorized image sharing, you can express your views, run your business, or practice journalism more safely while reducing the risk of criminal cases and costly disputes.