MUSCAT: Social media users in Oman could face imprisonment and fines for sharing or reposting unlawful content, even if they were not responsible for creating it, legal experts have warned, stressing that online activity carries direct legal consequences under the country’s cybercrime legislation.

Lawyers Dr Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Shanfari and Ahmed bin Said Al Lawati said individuals who circulate offensive material, misleading information or content that could damage Oman’s relations with foreign countries may face criminal liability, depending on the nature of the offence.

Their comments follow a statement issued by the Public Prosecution on Sunday urging social media users to exercise restraint and avoid remarks that could offend foreign countries, their leaders or citizens.

Al Shanfari said legal responsibility was not limited to the original publisher of unlawful content but could extend to individuals who repost, distribute, encourage or assist in circulating material that constitutes a criminal offence.

He said the rules applied equally to ordinary social media users, influencers, activists and content creators.

The lawyer stressed that freedom of expression was protected within the limits of Omani law, but individuals remained personally accountable for what they published or shared online.
Al Lawati said many users mistakenly believed that forwarding videos, comments or news reports was merely a form of online interaction, without recognising the potential legal consequences.

He said Articles 20, 23 and 26 of Oman’s Cybercrime Law address offences involving the circulation of material that threatens public order, the spread of false or malicious information and content that could harm the country’s foreign relations.

According to Al Lawati, Article 20 covers the publication or republication of material that could undermine public order or public morals, including rumours and misleading information, while Article 23 addresses false or malicious reports circulated with the intent required under the law to damage the state’s reputation or interests.

Article 26 covers public attacks on foreign heads of state, heads of government or diplomatic representatives accredited to Oman, as well as content that could harm the Sultanate’s external relations or interests.

Penalties vary according to the applicable legal provision, the nature of the offence and the circumstances involved, and can include imprisonment and fines, he said.

Al Lawati urged users to verify information before sharing it, warning that reposting content was not necessarily a legally neutral act.

Under Article 20, offences involving unlawful content or misleading information can carry prison sentences of one month to three years and fines of RO 1,000 to RO 3,000, or either penalty. More serious offences committed with the specified intent to incite hatred, sectarianism or division can attract imprisonment of three to 10 years and fines of RO 5,000 to RO 10,000.