Gulf News (United Arab Emirates), 17 December 2023: The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has clarified the penalties which will be imposed on those who violate privacy.

Under Article 44 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34/2021 on tackling rumours and electronic crimes, anyone who uses an information network, an electronic information system, or an information technology means, to violate people’s privacy will be jailed for at least six months and/or fined between 150,000 and 500,000 AED.

Anyone who makes a modification or manipulation to a recording, image, or scene with the intention of defamation or abuse will be jailed for at least one year and/or fined between 250,000 and 500,000 AED.

Violations include recording, broadcasting, or disclosing conversations, communications, or audio-visual materials or taking, revealing, or preserving images of others,

They also include publishing news, electronic or photographic images, scenes, or comments, data or information, even if they are true, with the intention of harming an individual,

Finally, they include taking pictures of those who are injured or dead or accident victims and publishing them without the consent of those concerned and tracking or monitoring the geographical locations of others, or disclosing, transferring or keeping them.

The Department has launched a Respect for Privacy: a Right and Duty campaign to help improve awareness of privacy obligations and consequences.

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