Sharing accident photos on social media may soon get you arrested in Qatar
How often do you open Facebook and Whatsapp to find gruesome pictures of accidents and victims staring at you?
These photographs are turning out to be very common across social media platforms.
Now Qatar has introduced a draft law that deals with this practice of taking such pictures and sharing them.
The law criminalizes the act of capturing photographs of accidents and/or injured victims and sharing them on social media.
To quote this proposed amendment to Law No.11 of 2004, it would punish anyone "who captures or transmits pictures of the deceased or injured in accidents without the consent of their representatives, through devices of any kind."
The Qatar News Agency published a notice of this draft law. However, it didn’t clarify on what the penalties are going to be.
The former justice minister Dr Najeeb Al Nuaimi has told to Doha News that “It is harmful to the families and friends of those who die or are injured in accidents to have pictures of their loved ones displayed in public without their consent.”
He also added that “It’s their right to protect the social life and image of their loved ones.”
Qatar has recently been introducing many steps to protect the privacy of its residents and citizens.
It is still not clear when the new legislation about sharing pictures of accidents and victims will be on effect, since it still needs the approval from the Emir of Qatar.
So think carefully about what you share on social media these days - it could land you in big trouble.
Source - Doha News , The Peninsula
Oh for goodness sake.. I just got a response from Rose..
Someone has already taken her for a Karak and Papadom at his Emporium :O(
'email already sent' ....forgot to type the complete sentence -maybe I am too excited ! :)
Hello Rose, email already...:)
Now sitting back and keeping my fingers and legs crossed to see your photos and what you want to tell.....:)
can't wait to implement it, because there are irresponsible driver/ motorist who intentionally stop at any accident site just to take photos and post in social media.
is it allowed to take photos of our own vehicles that involves in accidents to show to the police?
Yes, I suppose the catch phrase is "They can track and catch anyone they wish to"
Angelo: just as they know who has posted on QL. They can track and catch anyone they wish to
Good Morning, while is support this law for the good of injured or deceased, I am lost on how the authorities are going to catch people that break the law. The woman in UAE who was jailed for photographing a vehicle that was occupying handicapped and additional parking space without being handicapped. I witnessed the same at Lulu opposite the Hamad Hospital, and informed the security, and he said, he was helpless, you know who could own a brand new NIssan Patrol and park that way.
Share their good deeds .......... share their kind gestures .............. share their sweet memories & helpful natures ........ if you must want to share .............
Getting back to topic .. Many here seem to have a morbid fascination with death and mutilation . They see gory incidents and straight away want to share with friends - without giving care to the feelings of the victim or their families
Mohdata: Most governments nowadays 'monitor' social media and store / mine the data to be used by their various agencies .
Ljames: I am almost sure that Qatar and most other governments have allowed WhatsApp and other social platforms into their countries only on the condition that they have backdoor access to all user activity, as and when needed...while I don't think they bother reading every message and its mostly for national security, they presumably can if they wanted.
I appreciate this act of Qatar Govt.
Watsapp is ok but facebook and twitter is bullshit.
Yes.Social media is nothing but wasting of time.
As per recent articles many children had lost their academic yrs due to social media activities that's made their parents so embracing in their schools as well.
It's also makes jealousy between relatives and friends by posting unnecessary things simply its disgusting for past , present and definitely for future.
"How often do you open Facebook and Whatsapp to find gruesome pictures of accidents and victims staring at you?"
Does this mean that all messages on whatsapp are monitored as well??
I agree with you on this
I agree with you. Embedded war-correspondents are also idiots!
Good idea. Too many idiots who find joy in sharing the misery of others on social media.
Even Mecca death incident is viral now on social Media, Did any one took permission with their families once to share the pictures. NO!
Hence i appreciate the initiative taken by Qatar.
"How often do you open Facebook and Whatsapp to find gruesome pictures of accidents and victims staring at you?"
That would be never.
No one has the right to share pictures publically without his or his loved ones Permission,
Accidents are the bad or worst time of the person who suffered
Such Snaps taking and sharing Activity Must be punished irrespective of any reason.