While living in the United Arab Emirates, you often forget that there are strict laws around mediocre day-to-day activities that are usually done without hesitation. 

However, it’s always good to look up laws pertaining to the resident’s well-being as they often protect you from malicious activities. 

Residents in the UAE should note that recording any video in public of someone else without their consent is extremely illegal. 

Gulf news reported that this law is found within Article 378 of Federal Law no. 3 of 1987 of the Penal Code, which was amended in 2005 and says: 

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“A punishment of confinement and fine shall be inflicted on any person who attacks the sanctity of individuals’ private or family life by committing any of the following acts in other than the legally permitted cases or without the victim’s consent.” 

And this applies to activities like eavesdropping, recording or transmitting any kind of information regarding the other party

These activitiescan land you in jail for a minimum of six months with a fine between AED150,000 and AED500,000.  

And if an officer is caught engaging in these activities, he/she will receive a maximum sentence of seven years. 

Spilling secrets is illegal too 

Same punishments will be applied to anyone found publishing private secrets, even if the information is true. 

Read: A British Man In Dubai Was Jailed Over Abusive WhatsApp Messages