UAE’s strict privacy law
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made its laws very strict to protect people’s privacy. If you live in UAE or are visiting there, then sharing someone else’s photo or video without their consent can get you in big trouble. According to the law there, violating someone’s privacy is considered a serious crime.
Provision for jail and heavy fine
Under UAE laws, posting or sharing someone’s photo online without consent carries severe penalties. A person found guilty may be jailed for a minimum of 6 months. Apart from this, a heavy fine ranging from 1,50,000 dirhams to 5,00,000 dirhams (lakhs of Indian rupees) can also be imposed on him. This rule strictly applies to social media and other digital platforms.
The victim can ask for compensation
Not just jail and fine, now the victim can also demand compensation for the loss. According to the new rules, people whose photos have been shared without their consent can approach the civil court. The law gives the victim the right to claim financial compensation from the accused for the violation of his privacy.
How are punishment and compensation decided?
The process of getting compensation works in a step-by-step manner. First of all, it is necessary to prove in the criminal court that privacy has been violated. Once the criminal court pronounces its verdict and finds the accused guilty, liability is decided in the civil court on the basis of that verdict. That is, the decision of the criminal court itself forms the basis of the compensation claim.
Be careful on social media
This law is a warning to all those who are careless while using social media. Before sharing a photo of a stranger, friend or colleague, jokingly or angrily, it is very important to obtain written or explicit permission from them. Even a mistake made unknowingly can land you in court and lead to huge financial losses.
Last Updated: 19 January 2026
