Taking a photograph outdoors? While the UAE has some of the most photo-friendly tourist destinations in the world, if you take a photo or video that may violate the privacy of another individual, you can face serious consequences as per the UAE’s law.
The UAE’s cyber laws, publications law, UAE Penal Code and copyright law govern the penalties that a person can face if they take and publish photographs of people without seeking permission, or with the intent of damaging their reputation.
Taking pictures without permission
In 2018, a man was arrested for filming another man crying at a Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) customer care centre. The person also posted the footage on social networking sites, where the video soon went viral.
Later, Dubai Police advised people to refrain from similar actions as filming or taking pictures of others without their permission or defaming others online is punishable by UAE’s laws and regulations, specifically the cybercrimes, which prohibits the invasion of an individual's privacy by breaching their privacy, including taking pictures of others, or publishing or displaying those pictures.
In 2021, the cybercrimes law was updated, with Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 being issued last year. Article 44 of the new law has been drafted to protect the privacy of persons preventing people from disclosing conversations or taking pictures of other or sharing pictures of other even if it is true, according to Mohamed Noureldin, Founder and Senior Legal Consultant at Nour Attorneys & Legal Consultants.
"The new law has maintained the same punishment of at least six months' imprisonment and a fine of not less than Dh150,000 and not more than Dh500,000.00," he said.
Taking pictures of accidents
In another awareness message posted by Abu Dhabi Police in 2018, Abu Dhabi Police said that publishing photos of accidents can lead to confusion among social media users, and advised residents against circulating the photos on social networking sites.
“The internet is full of misinformation, and social media users should check the accuracy of their sources before sharing them with friends,” said Major General Salem Shaheen Al Nuaimi, Director of Command Affairs at the Abu Dhabi Police.
“Residents should also not use social media sites to post traffic violations or circulate rumours,” he said.
He warned that these acts could have legal implications for individuals, even if they are not aware of the consequences, while stressing that there is no excuse for ignorance of the law.
Taking pictures while driving
Taking pictures of accident sites is also included in the new law, according to Noureldin.
"The new law has added additional points to include people who take a picture of accidents, crises, dead people and injured in accidents without the approval of the related personnel," he said.
It is also important to not take pictures while you are driving, in general, as you can land with a fine of Dh800 and four black points.
Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi police warned motorists that taking photos while driving is a traffic violation and they will face penalties.
