Being a good digital citizen: other people's data, images and the law

Cyber security is not only about protecting yourself. Every time you screenshot, forward, tag or post, you are handling someone else's privacy too. In the UAE, some of these choices are also legal matters.

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Other people's privacy is in your hands

• Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combatting Rumours and Cybercrimes took effect on 2 January 2022 and sets out offences and penalties for crimes committed using technology (UAE Government portal).
• According to UAE law firm Hadef and Partners, and the official text on the UAE Legislation portal, Article 44 of that law covers using technology to invade someone's privacy without consent, including taking photos of people in any public or private place, recording or sharing their conversations, and tracking or revealing their location.
• The published text sets the Article 44 penalty at imprisonment of at least six months and/or a fine of AED 150,000 to 500,000 (UAE Legislation portal; also reported by Hadef and Partners and by Gulf News quoting a legal adviser). Penalties can be amended, so always check the current official text.
• Article 6 covers copying or spreading someone's personal electronic data without permission (UAE Legislation portal; Hadef and Partners).
• Simple rule: ask before you photograph, film or post anyone, and do not share screenshots of private chats.

Accidents, emergencies and edited images

• Hadef and Partners note that Article 44 also covers publishing photos of injured people, the dead, or victims of accidents or disasters without permission.
• If you see an accident, help or call 999. Do not film it for social media.
• Altering someone's photo or recording to defame or insult them falls under a harsher penalty tier, according to Hadef and Partners. Treat AI 'face swaps' and edited images of real people with the same care.
• Publishing content intended to harm someone can be an offence even if the content is true (Hadef and Partners).

Words count too

• Hadef and Partners explain that Article 43 covers insulting someone online or attributing something to them that would expose them to punishment or contempt.
• The UAE Government portal notes that the law also covers spreading false information. Before forwarding a 'breaking' message, check it with an official source.
• Write online as if the person you are talking about is reading over your shoulder.
• Group chats are not private: anyone can screenshot and share what you write.

Cyberbullying: as a target and as a bystander

• UNICEF defines cyberbullying as bullying with the use of digital technologies: repeated behaviour meant to scare, anger or shame someone, such as spreading lies, posting embarrassing photos, threats, or impersonating someone.
• If it happens to you: tell a trusted adult, block the person, report them on the platform, and save evidence such as screenshots (UNICEF). If you are in immediate danger, contact the police (UNICEF).
• If it happens to a friend: listen, let them know you are there, encourage them to talk to someone who can help, and offer to go with them if they report it (UNICEF).
• Do not like, share or join in. Silence from bystanders can feel like agreement, while one private message of support can make a real difference.
• Lesson rl-05 in the Relationships module covers recognising bullying and unhealthy friendships in more detail.

Younger children and family photos

• The UAE Child Digital Safety Law (in force from 1 January 2026) asks parents and caregivers to supervise children's digital activity, not to create accounts for them on platforms that are not age-appropriate, and to avoid harmful 'sharenting' (Clyde and Co).
• Apply the same respect to younger siblings, cousins and children you babysit: ask a parent before posting their photos, and never share their school, location or full name.
• If a younger child shows you something upsetting online, stay calm, do not share it, and tell a parent.
• Help family members set up the protections from this module, for example 2SV on a grandparent's email.

Reporting and getting advice

• Use the platform's report tools for harmful posts, fake accounts and impersonation (UNICEF).
• For crimes, use the official channels in lesson cy-07, or call 999 in an emergency (UAE Government portal).
• The UAE Digital Wellbeing Support Line, 80091, offers professional advice for all family members on everyday digital situations (UAE Government portal). It is an advice line, not a crime-reporting line.
• Being a good digital citizen also means owning your mistakes: if you posted something about someone that you regret, take it down and apologise.