In a fresh public reminder, the UAE Public Prosecution has warned that violating individual privacy is a punishable offence in the UAE, with fines up to Dh500,000 imposed on offenders.

The accused can also be jailed for at least six months in certain cases. The Public Prosecution has also outlined the acts that comprise an infringement of privacy in the UAE.

Acts of privacy infringement

● Eavesdropping, intervention in, or the recording, transferring, broadcasting, or divulgence of talking, communications, or audio or visual materials
● Taking photos of others at any public or private place, or the preparation of electronic photos, or transferring, revealing, copying, or keeping the same
● Publication of news, electronic photos, photographs, scenes, comments, data, or information, even if real and true, to cause harm to a person
● Taking photos of the wounded, the dead, or the victims of accidents or disasters, and the transfer or publication without a permit of consent from the concerned party
 ● Tracing and observation of geographic site data to others, or divulging, transferring, revealing, copying, or keeping them

Penalties

The Public Prosecution said a minimum jail sentence of six months, or fines ranging between Dh150,000 and Dh500,000, or both, will be imposed on anyone using an information network, or a means of information technology, to infringe on the privacy of a person, or the sanctity of the private or family life of individuals without their consent and in other than legally permitted cases.

The jail term and fines are higher if the obtained materials are altered for the purposes of libel.

The Public Prosecution also said, “Whoever uses an electronic information system or a means of information technology to make any alteration or processing on a recording, image, or scene, for the purpose of libel or offence against another person shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a duration of not less than a year, and/or fined…not less than Dh250,000 and not more than Dh500,000”.

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