Abu Dhabi Man Ordered to Pay Dh20,000 for Violating Woman’s Online Privacy

An Abu Dhabi court has ordered a man to pay Dh20,000 in compensation to a woman after he posted her photos and videos online without her consent -- a breach the court said caused her moral and psychological distress.

 

The ruling by the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court, issued on October 16, 2025, followed a detailed review of both the criminal and civil proceedings in the case.

 

According to court records, the woman filed a civil claim after the defendant shared her images and video clips on social media, resulting in emotional anguish and damage to her reputation.

 

A criminal complaint had earlier led to the man’s conviction by the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court for invading the woman’s online privacy. The conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal in March and became final after no further appeal was lodged.

 

In its reasoning, the civil court held that the man’s actions constituted a wrongful act under Article 282 of the Federal Civil Transactions Law, which obliges anyone causing harm -- intentionally or unintentionally -- to compensate the victim.

 

While the plaintiff had sought Dh50,000 in damages for harm to her honour and reputation, the court found no evidence of significant financial loss or lasting social repercussions. It ruled that Dh20,000 was an appropriate amount to compensate for emotional distress and reputational damage.

 

The judgment reinforces the UAE’s strong legal protection of personal privacy and serves as a reminder that sharing images, videos, or personal data without consent -- even through private messages or blogs -- can lead to serious criminal and financial consequences.

 

Legal experts note that defamation or privacy violations in the UAE can attract penalties of up to Dh500,000, imprisonment, and deportation for non-citizens. Even truthful statements can be considered defamatory if shared without justification and if they harm another’s reputation.

 

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