What began as a close friendship between two young women ended in a legal dispute that nearly resulted in a prison sentence and ultimately led to a Dh85,000 penalty for one of them.
What began as an ordinary friendship between two young women turned into a legal dispute that nearly led to a prison sentence and ultimately resulted in a Dh85,000 fine for one of them. A recent case highlights how a single screenshot became key evidence during the investigation.
What happened
The two women had become close through social media, with one frequently viewing the other’s photos and posts and later saving a screenshot of her friend’s picture.
Later, while discussing her friend with a third person, she shared the screenshot along with private chat details about her friend’s personal life, without the photo owner’s knowledge or consent.
What was intended to remain private between two individuals did not stay that way for long. The recipient of the material later posted it publicly on social media, leaving the victim shocked to find that private information had been circulated without her permission. She subsequently filed an official complaint.
Digital evidence, real consequences
Investigators reviewed both parties’ phones and messages. The digital trail, including screenshots and exchanged chats, confirmed that the photos had been stored and shared without consent.
Legal consultant Ahmed Al Zarouni said many people mistakenly believe that taking or sharing a screenshot of someone else’s photo has no legal consequences. He noted that digital privacy is protected by law and that sharing another person’s images or information without consent can lead to legal liability, including financial penalties and judicial action.
Under Article 44 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumours and Cybercrimes, using technology to violate a person’s privacy—including capturing, storing, sharing, or publishing their photos without consent—can carry a penalty of at least six months in prison and a fine ranging from Dh150,000 to Dh500,000, or either penalty.
Al Zarouni added that digital evidence has become one of the strongest forms of proof in cases before prosecutors and courts. He noted that the case was eventually closed after the victim agreed to a settlement, as permitted under Article 68 of the same law for such offences, although the accused still incurred a financial loss of Dh85,000.
He cautioned against assuming that private conversations remain private, saying, “Any message or photo can become complete evidence before a court in moments,” and urged people to respect others’ privacy and avoid storing or sharing personal photos or information without consent.
