Jordan approves tougher law on cybercrimes

AMMAN -- Jordan on Saturday approved a tougher law on cybercrimes, according to a statement by the Royal Hashemite Court.

The new law was approved by a royal decree issued by King Abdullah II after it was passed by the Lower House and the Senate days ago.

As stipulated by the law, anyone who publishes on the internet materials that incite sedition, sectarianism, hatred, or violence in the country will be imprisoned for one to three years or face up to a fine between 5,000 dinars (about $7,000) and 20,000 dinars.

It also stipulates that anyone who intentionally sends or publishes false news or slander on the internet will face imprisonment of no less than three months or a fine between 5,000 Jordanian dinars and 20,000 dinars.

The law will go into effect 30 days after being published in the official gazette, local media reported.