Man Ordered to Pay Dh20,000 for Posting Woman’s Photos Online Without Consent

In an era where online sharing has become second nature, the UAE continues to uphold privacy as a deeply protected value under some of the region’s most stringent laws.

 

A recent ruling by the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court ordered a man to pay a woman Dh20,000 in compensation after he posted her photos and videos on social media without her consent. The judgment, issued on October 16, 2025, followed a review of both the criminal and civil aspects of the case.

 

According to court documents, the woman sued the man for emotional distress and reputational harm after he uploaded her images and clips online. He had already been convicted by the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court for breaching her privacy, a conviction later upheld by the Court of Appeal in March and deemed final.

 

The civil court held that the act constituted a violation of privacy that inflicted moral and psychological harm. However, it ruled that the compensation must remain proportionate to the damage suffered.

 

While the plaintiff sought Dh50,000 for harm to her honour and reputation, the court found no proof of major financial loss or long-term social consequences. It therefore determined that Dh20,000 was an adequate amount to redress the emotional and reputational harm.

 

In its reasoning, the court cited Article 282 of the Federal Civil Transactions Law, which states: “Any harm done to another obliges the person who caused it -- even if not legally competent -- to provide compensation for the damage.” The law makes clear that any person who causes harm to another, whether intentionally or not, must compensate the injured party.

 

Think Before Sharing

 

The ruling reaffirms the UAE’s firm stance on safeguarding personal privacy, warning that publishing photos or videos of others without permission can attract both criminal penalties and financial liability.

 

Under UAE law, sharing another person’s personal data, images, voice notes, private messages, or screenshots without consent can amount to a criminal offence. Even if the person isn’t named directly, a violation may occur if their identity can be inferred from the content.

 

Social media, WhatsApp, email or even blogs -- all fall under electronic means. Once something is shared without consent, it becomes a cybercrime. Penalties can reach Dh500,000, imprisonment, and for non-citizens, even deportation.

 

Defamation in the UAE includes any statement -- written, spoken, or implied -- that harms another’s reputation or social standing. Unlike in some countries, truth is not a defence; even accurate information can be deemed defamatory if shared without justification and causes reputational harm.

 

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