The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) in Islamabad has issued a warning for Pakistanis living in or travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
What is the alert about?
The alert highlights strict rules about social media use and personal privacy in the country.
According to the bureau, people in the UAE can face jail time and heavy fines for violating privacy laws.
Sharing private content without permission or revealing confidential information can also lead to legal action.
What social media activities are prohibited in the UAE?
The alert states that taking someone’s pictures or videos without permission is not allowed. Sharing such content on social media can also result in legal action.
Recording or sharing someone’s private conversations without consent may also be considered a legal offence.
People are also warned against sharing pictures of accident victims or injured people.
Posting content with the intention of harming someone is also prohibited. Editing pictures or recordings to change their original meaning can lead to further penalties.
What are the penalties for breaking privacy laws?
UAE laws also prohibit sharing confidential information obtained through employment. Revealing medical or banking records without permission is also a crime.
Getting, using or sharing another person’s private information without consent can also result in punishment.
According to the alert, some privacy violations can lead to at least six months in prison. Fines may range from AED20,000 to AED1 million. Editing or changing pictures can also result in stricter penalties.
What should Pakistani citizens keep in mind?
The BEOE has advised Pakistanis in the UAE to follow the country’s privacy laws. Citizens have been asked to respect other people’s personal lives and private information.
The bureau has urged Pakistanis to be careful when using social media and avoid sharing content that could violate another person’s privacy.
