UAE clarifies penalty for divulgence of secrets and infringement of privacy

Staff Reporter, Stafff Reporter

The UAE Public Prosecution (PP), clarified through a post published today on its social media accounts, the penalty for divulgence of secrets and infringement of privacy using an information network.

The UAE PP pointed out that in accordance with the Article 44 of the Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, for Combating E-Crimes and Rumors, whoever uses an information network, an electronic information system, or a means of information technology in order to infringe the privacy of a person or the sanctity of the private or family life of individuals without their consent and in other than the legally permitted cases, by one of the following means:

1-    Eavesdropping, intervention in, or the recording transfer, broadcasting or divulgence of, talks, communications, or audio or visual material.

2-    Taking photos of others at any public or private place or the preparation of electronic photos or transferring, revealing, copying, or keeping the same.

3-    The publication of news, electronic photos, photographs, scenes, comments, data, or information, even if real or true, in order to cause harm to a person.

4-    Taking photos of the wounded, the dead, or the victims of accidents or disasters, and the transfer or publication thereof without a permit or consent from the concerned party.

5-    The tracing and observation of geographic sites data to others or divulging, transferring, revealing, copying, or keeping the same.shall be sentenced to imprisonment to a duration of not less than six months and/or fined a monetary penalty of not less than Dhs150,000 and no more than Dhs500,000.

Furthermore, whoever uses 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 offense against another person, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a duration of not less than a year and/or find a monetary penalty of not less than Dhs250,000 and not more than Dhs500,000.

This post is part of the Public Prosecution’s continuous efforts to promote legal culture among members of the community and increase their awareness about the latest legislation in the country.