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Is it a crime to insult someone on WhatsApp or to write 'I will find you'?

In short

It can be. A threat that causes someone serious fear is a crime: threatening a serious attack, such as killing, is level 2, and threatening a lighter attack is level 1. Insults and defamation are level 1 crimes if they are made in public (e.g. in a group chat). A screenshot can be used as evidence.

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Video transcript

An argument has got out of hand. You grab your phone in anger. Not allowed: Threats by message are a crime too: serious threats are level 2, light threats level 1. Insults in a group or in public are level 1 too. Screenshots are evidence. The right way: Do not write in anger. If you are threatened, do not delete it; take a screenshot and go to the police. Outcome: Light threat, public insult: 200 € – 20.000 €; Or: Community service; Serious threat: 6 months – 3 years prison.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Knowingly making someone seriously afraid of an attack is a threat and a crime, even in a message (art. 231). Threatening a very serious attack, such as killing, is level 2. Threatening a lighter attack is level 1. A conditional threat like 'if you don't do this...' can go up to level 3 (art. 232).
  • Insulting someone in a WhatsApp group or on social media (art. 244), or maliciously and publicly accusing them of a specific fact that may damage their honour (defamation, art. 240), is a crime. A person who convincingly shows that the fact is likely to be true is not liable for this crime. The penalty for these crimes is level 1 (no prison; a fine or community service). A private message sent to only one person does not count as 'public'; but if it seriously disturbs the person's peace, it can be stalking (belaging): level 2 (art. 237). Insulting a public officer, such as a police officer or judge, because of their job is also a separate crime (art. 247, level 1).
  • Publicly inciting hatred, violence or discrimination against a person or a group (e.g. in a group chat or on social media) is also a level 2 crime (art. 250).
  • If you receive threats, do not delete the messages. Take screenshots and go to the police.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICECriminal Code, level 2
Fine / payment
For insults and less serious threats, level 1: no prison. By law, there is a fine of 200 € – 20.000 €; with surcharge multipliers, the amount you pay can be higher. Or 20–120 hours of community service (werkstraf / peine de travail).

Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36

Court / prison
For threatening a serious attack (level 2): 6 months – 3 years in prison or electronic monitoring; 120–300 hours of community service or probation can also be given. For threatening a less serious attack, level 1.

Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II

What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 2: 6 months – 3 years in prison or an alternative sentence. All penalty levels →

What really matters: the indirect consequences

What do these terms mean?

Criminal record
The state register of convictions handed down by a court. The extract asked for a job, residence or nationality application comes from it. Municipal GAS fines are not entered in it.

All terms: glossary →

Why does this rule exist?

Human dignity is protected online too. Fear is a form of harm; words typed behind a screen hurt real people, and content that spreads cannot be taken back.

Where can you go?

  • Card StopIf you shared your card details, call straight away: 078 170 170
  • SafeonwebForward suspicious messages to verdacht@safeonweb.be
  • PoliceTo report threats, blackmail or stalking: 101 or your local police station
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
15 / 15 statements in an official source
Checked: 02.11.2026
Last checked
22.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 15 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

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