Qatar: Two years in prison and a fine of 10,000 riyals for photographing without permission and violating others' privacy - Sarmad

The Qatari Ministry of Interior has warned against violating others’ privacy by photographing or sharing their images and video clips without their consent, emphasizing that such practices may subject the perpetrator to legal accountability.

In a statement, the Ministry clarified that photographing or distributing images and videos of individuals in private spaces without their consent constitutes an offense. Furthermore, Qatari law criminalizes the act of photographing people in public places if done with the intent to insult or defame them.

The Ministry noted that this stance is based on Article 333 of the Qatari Penal Code, urging the public to respect others’ privacy and adhere to legal regulations when taking photographs or publishing content.

According to the Qatari Legal Portal “Al Mezan,” affiliated with the Ministry of Justice, Article 333 (amended by Law No. 4/2017, effective from 08/03/2017) stipulates the following:

Anyone who violates the sanctity of individuals’ private lives without their consent, in circumstances not permitted by law, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, and/or a fine not exceeding 10,000 Qatari Riyals, or with one of these two penalties, if they commit any of the following acts:

1. Opening a private letter or telegram addressed to another individual.

2. Eavesdropping on a telephone call.

3. Recording or transmitting conversations that took place in a private place, using any device whatsoever.

4. Taking or transmitting photographs or video clips of an individual or individuals in a private place, using any device whatsoever.

The same penalties prescribed in the preceding paragraph shall apply to anyone who:

1. Takes or transmits photographs or video clips of an individual or individuals in a public place, using any device whatsoever, with the intent to use them for insult or defamation.

2. Takes or transmits photographs or video clips of victims or deceased persons in accidents, using any device whatsoever, in circumstances not permitted by law.