Introduction
Media and the Internet are powerful tools that can connect and educate people. However, these tools can also affect people negatively, such as through misconduct with information and online interactions. UAE privacy laws impact the conduct of media and private individuals in many ways. The areas in which UAE privacy laws are excised include photographs and videos, information, and even emojis used on social media. That interactions and behaviors in online media are controlled and monitored is imperative for a safe and secure social environment. However, the extent to which control is exercised should not infringe upon the verification of truth and freedom of speech.
UAE Privacy Laws
Privacy laws protect and regulate how people’s personal information is managed. Privacy laws consider not only individuals’ information and well-being but also the security and reputation of the government. UAE media laws that have the most importance are UAE Penal Code, Publications & Publishing Law, and Cybercrime Law. Cybercrime Law is the most recent of these acts and considers online communication and activities. Punishments for breaking privacy laws vary depending on the committed misconduct and usually include fines and/or prison sentences (Duffy, 2018). In addition, privacy laws uphold authenticity within the realm of legal justice. The posts and interactions online or in media can affect court prosecutions, so this area of public conduct is also regulated. For example, taking pictures or filming violations of the law is prohibited lest the photographs or videos are made to be presented to the authorities (Sherouk, 2022). This prevents the evidence from reaching the public and therefore influences the matters in court.
UAE Privacy Laws’ Impacts
The purpose of any law is to prevent misconduct, protect citizens from it, and provide a consequence for causing it. Privacy laws possess these features and also have a profound impact on the social life of the country. On the one hand, it protects the citizens and their government from defamation and invasion of privacy and aims to keep peace and composure in times of distress. For example, videos and pictures taken during the terror attack on Abu Dhabi were prohibited from sharing because that could endanger military and other vital functional systems (“Houthi terror attack on Abu Dhabi: Residents urged not to share videos of missiles being intercepted, destroyed,” 2022). In addition, these laws are potent prevention agents. Defamation and slander of a person’s character are serious offenses, and even insulting people online can cause consequences. These policies help combat such issues as cyberbullying and online harassment, which has become more common in recent years. This leads to more throughout and respectful interactions, especially considering that reporting that kind of behavior is encouraged.
On the other hand, control over the online sphere and publishing has presented certain complications for social life. In publication, for example, every press outlet must possess a license in order to operate (Duffy, 2018). This poses a challenge for smaller news websites and possibly puts them and their staff under a legal threat. In addition, certain websites that are labeled as spreading subversive information are banned and blocked. Indeed, a handful of these websites are guilty of spreading illegal content or information that could be used for crime (Duffy, 2018). However, some of these sites simply express opposing views and do not entirely consist of these agendas. This causes websites with educational purposes to also be excluded from citizens’ reach.
The third issue that those laws bring is the ways in which the content deemed harmful is penalized. The users of social media websites such as Twitter and Facebook have been under attack, specifically political activists, as the government claims that these measures aim to protect religion and peace. Another example is when a person was arrested for defamation after describing a troublesome experience with the police (Duffy, 2018). When actions like these become more widespread, it incites people to question the government’s true intentions in supporting and creating these laws. This could potentially lead to complete rejection of the notion of the privacy law, be it its good aspects or bad.
Conclusion
In conclusion, UAE privacy laws present a legal equivalent of a double-edged sword. These laws are intended to protect people and the government from defamation and leaks of vital data. The existence and execution of privacy laws ensure that the people’s peace of mind and legal rights to a fair court are secure. They also prevent and punish cyberbullying and online harassment, which has become a more outstanding issue in current times. This, in turn, leads to a more respectful and fulfilling online sphere and interaction online. However, in certain scenarios, they are used to breach people’s freedom of speech and political expression. They allow for the imprisonment of those who express their unadulterated opinion, be they personal or political. In addition, it limits people’s working and educational capabilities. The level of control exercised through UAE privacy laws is proven to be capable of exceeding the boundaries set by freedom of speech, which could lead to people’s complete disregard for the laws.
References
Duffy, M. J. (2018). Media law in the United Arab Emirates. Wolters Kluwer.
Houthi terror attack on Abu Dhabi: Residents urged not to share videos of missiles being intercepted, destroyed. (2022). Khaleej Times. Web.
Sherouk, Z. (2022). UAE cybercrime law: When can you take pictures of someone without permission? Khaleej Times. Web.