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Misuse of cellphones to carry jail term, fine

DUBAI — Brigadier Mohammed Saeed Al Mari, Deputy Director of General Department of Community Service of Dubai Police, has warned that those misusing information technology by taking photographs from cellphones, passing them on to others, recording private conversation, etc will be imprisoned and fined.

Brig. Al Mari said that UAE criminal law has put in place strict measures, in line with the amendments to the law No 34 of the year 2005. As per Article No 378, any one affecting the privacy of a person or a family without their consent would be subject to imprisonment and fine, he said, adding that eavesdropping, recording private conversation through phone or any other recording device, taking photos, etc would be included among violations of the law. He said those spreading news, harmful comments, even if true, or circulating family photos will also be punished.

"An employee misusing his profession and committing any violation in this regard will be imprisoned for seven years. Also the equipment used in these acts will be confiscated," he said.

Brig. Al Mari said that some people used information technology to obtain photos of people, specially women and girls. It had been noted that some youth had started threatening young girls on the basis of any photos they had on their mobile phones, asking them to practise immoral acts with them or be prepared for the photos to be posted on any web sites, he added.

He said on review of the complaints received by police's Al Ameen Service, it was found that harassment complaints represented 66.7 per cent of total offences recorded in October 2004. During September and November of the same year, the number of complaints reached 16.7 per cent of total violations, in May 35.7 per cent, in April 25 per cent, in February 17.8 per cent, in March 10.7 per cent, in January 7.14 per cent and in June only 3.75.