Cybercrime Laws in Jordanand Freedom of Expression: A Critical Examination of the Electronic Crimes Act 2023

Jordanian authorities enacted a series of legislations aimed at tackling cybercrime in response to thriving illegal activities in cyberspace. In 2010, the first cybercrime law was enacted, followed by the Electronic Crimes Act in 2015 (ECA). Since then, the government has shown its commitment to keeping cybercrime law up to date to align with the evolving social and digital landscape. Therefore, the authorities proposed two amendments to the ECA (2015). However, these proposed amendments did not receive parliamentary approval due to concerns about freedom of expression. In August 2023, the King of Jordan Abdullah II signed a highly controversial cybercrime bill into law, the Electronic Crimes Act 2023. The new Act has sparked criticism from human rights organizations and activists who are concerned about the impact it will have on freedom of expression. This paper undertakes a comprehensive exploration of the ongoing efforts by Jordanian authorities to modernize cybercrime legislation. It scrutinizes the extent to which the proposed amendments and the new Act address various categories of cybercrime. Furthermore, it critically assesses whether these legislative changes may pose a risk to the fundamental right of freedom of expression.