On August 12, 2023, Law No. 17 of 2023 on combating cybercrimes was ratified by Jordan’s king, Abdullah II, and published in the official gazette the following day. The new law penalizes perpetrators of acts that it classifies as cybercrimes with a term of imprisonment or a fine or both. The law took effect on September 11, 2023.
Key Highlights of Cybercrimes Law No. 17 of 2023
Gaining Unauthorized Access
Law No. 17 of 2023 punishes any person who accesses an information network or information system without legal authorization with one week to three months’ imprisonment or a fine of 300 to 600 Jordanian dinars (about US$423 to $846), or both penalties. (Law No. 17 of 2023, art. 3(a).)
The law enhances the penalties mentioned above if the person who gains unauthorized access does so to cancel, delete, add, destroy, disclose, publish, reproduce, block, modify, transmit, copy, or breach the confidentiality of data, information, or encryption, or to stop or disable the operation of an information network. In such cases the penalties are imprisonment for one to three years and a fine of 3,000 to 15,000 dinars (about US$4,231 to $21,157). (Art 3(b).)
Furthermore, the law punishes any person who gains unauthorized access to government data, a government information network, a government bank electronic network, a government financial institution’s information network, or classified information related to national security with six months’ to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 2,500 to 25,000 dinars (about US$3,526 to $35,261). (Art. 4.)
Creating a False Social Media Account
The law punishes the act of creating an email account, web page, or social media group and falsely attributing it to a natural or legal person with imprisonment for not less than three months or a fine of 1,500 to 15,000 dinars (about US$2,116 to $21,157), or both penalties. (Art. 5(a).) The law enhances the penalties to include a term of imprisonment at hard labor and a fine of 15,000 to 45,000 dinars (about US$21,157 to $63,470) if the person creating the false email account, webpage, or social media account attributes it to a government entity or government employee. (Art. 5(c).)
Hacking Information
The law imposes the penalty of five years’ imprisonment at hard labor and a fine of 15,000 to 45,000 dinars (about US$21,157 to $63,470) on any person who hacks or intercepts an information technology network related to a government entity. (Art. 7(c).)
Using Unauthorized Means of Online Payments
Under article 8(3) of the law, any person who uses unauthorized electronic means of payment online, such as false electronic credit cards, is punishable by one to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 2,500 to 10,000 dinars (about US$3,526 to $14,104).
Using an Information Network to Publish Pornographic Materials
Any person who intentionally uses an information system or information network to create, prepare, save, process, display, print, publish, or promote pornographic activities or works is punishable by imprisonment for not less than six months or a fine of 3,000 to 6,000 dinars (about US$4,231 to $8,463). (Art. 13(a)(1).)
The law enhances the penalty if the aforementioned acts target individuals younger than 18 years old. Article 13(a)(3) of the law provides that any person who intentionally uses an information system or information network to create, prepare, save, process, display, print, publish, or promote pornographic activities or works to target or entice or sexually exploit minors younger than 18 years of age is punishable by imprisonment for not less than one year and a fine 6,000 to 15,000 Jordanian dinars (about US$8,463 to $21,157).
In addition, the law punishes anyone who commits the aforementioned acts in order to recruit them into prostitution with a term of imprisonment at hard labor and a fine of 15,000 to 45,000 dinars (about US$21,157 to $63,470). (Art. 14(b).)
Disseminating False News and Hate Speech and Insulting Religious Beliefs
Any person who uses information networks, electronic websites, or social media platforms to disseminate false information targeting national security is punishable by imprisonment for not less than three months or a fine of 5,000 to 20,0000 dinars (about US$7,052 to $28,209), or both penalties. (Art. 15(a).)
Similarly, the law punishes any person who disseminates information via a social media platform or an electronic website that will promote sectarian strife among Jordanian citizens, insult religious beliefs, or distribute hate speech with one to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of 5,000 to 20,000 dinars (about US$7,052 to $28,209), or both penalties. (Art. 17.)
George Sadek, Law Library of Congress
September 28, 2023
Read more Global Legal Monitor articles.