AED 150K Fine for Violating Someone's Privacy and Secrets in the UAE!

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the act of revealing secrets is deemed a criminal offense, and those found guilty may face substantial fines, starting at a minimum of Dh150,000.

Recently, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Authority shed light on the details of the country's anti-rumours and cybercrime law, particularly Article 44 of Federal Decree Law No. 34 of 2021, designed to safeguard individuals' privacy.

Given the widespread availability of smart technologies, UAE legislation is dedicated to ensuring that residents' personal spaces and boundaries are consistently respected. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Authority emphasizes in its awareness campaign that actions such as recording or sharing conversations, and taking and storing pictures of others without their consent, are strictly prohibited.

The UAE adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards privacy breaches, and violations can result in fines ranging from at least Dh150,000 to Dh500,000 and/or imprisonment for a minimum of six months. Offenses encompass sharing news, images, comments, or private information about an individual without their consent, even if the content is genuine.

Additional actions falling under these violations include recording, broadcasting, or disclosing conversations and audio-visual materials about a person, taking photos of the injured, deceased, or accident victims without consent, and tracking a person's GPS location.

The penalties escalate to at least one year in jail and/or fines ranging from Dh250,000 to Dh500,000 if a voice note, photo, or scene is manipulated to defame or offend another person, as stated by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Authority.

Understanding and adhering to these strict privacy laws is crucial in ensuring compliance and avoiding severe legal consequences in the UAE.