Invasion of Privacy

So you sent a message to someone, and that message was forwarded to another? This is invasion of privacy. Many people think that it is just a simple thing, and it cannot be discovered anyway. But invasion of privacy in the UAE can cost an offender a huge penalty up to AED500K. (More here.)

What if somebody borrows your phone, reads an incoming message without the receiver reading it first, and forwards the message to himself/herself, then tells others that the owner of the mobile phone forwards the messages to him/her? It is loud and clear that there is a lie, and an invasion of privacy.

Everyone's item is his/her own, like his/her own territory or place, that must not be invaded, out of respect.

When someone wants to use my mobile phone, I think of many reasons not to lend it because I value my privacy highly, very highly. There was a time when a person with many friends, wanted to borrow my mobile phone. In my mind, "Where is your mobile phone? What about your many close friends' mobile phones? Why mine?"

If you lend your mobile phone, the borrower can read your messages, open your files, steal your information, delete or forward messages or call others without your permission, and other things that will make you vulnerable or exposed to harms or risks, without you knowing it. Sometimes it can can create conflict or trouble that you will regret for the rest of your life.

Article 21 of the Federal Decree Law No 5 of 2012, as published in the Khaleej Times, says, "One shall be punished by imprisonment for a period of at least six months and a fine not less than Dh150,000 and not in excess of Dh500,000 or either of these two penalties if he/she uses a computer network and/or electronic information or any information technology means for the invasion of privacy of another person in other than the cases allowed by the law xxx."

When a person tells you, "My friend forwards your message to me," he/she and his/her friend do not know what will the consequences be. Worse if he/she lies and he/she himself/herself reads first others' messages not intended for him/her and forwards such to himself/herself, and the receiver sends you a message that the mobile phone borrower reads your messages intended for the mobile phone owner.

I have been a big enthusiast of digital matters since the internet was introduced to us in 1980's. With this, I try to get updated on related rulings and always want to learn more about cyberlaws. Different territories, different cyberlaws -- but one thing is universal -- respect for one's privacy.

May everyone passionately make it sure that no privacy is invaded in every move he/she has to take.

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Photo credits:  Pixabay