Electronic Extortion is a Crime, According to Jordan’s Electronic Crimes Law No. 17 of 2023

Abstract

In recent years, cyber extortion has emerged as one of Jordan's most concerning and prevalent cybercrimes. This has necessitated a multi-pronged approach to tackle the issue, including legal measures. The previous cybercrime law of 2015 lacked provisions to address cyber extortion and establish appropriate penalties for perpetrators. Article 415 of the Jordanian Penal Code served as its sole source of traditional legislation. Recognising this gap, the new 2022 cybercrime law introduced a specific provision, Article 18, to explicitly address cyber extortion. This study reveals that the Jordanian legislature has adopted a punitive approach towards cyber extortion. Article 18 prescribes a combination of imprisonment and a fine, aiming to eliminate ambiguity during legal proceedings. This ensures judges do not have the discretion to choose just one penalty based on personal judgement. Furthermore, the study offers recommendations for combating cyberextortion and curtailing its spread within Jordanian society. However, the provided excerpt does not include these recommendations.