UAE Authorities Warn Those who Share Videos and Pictures of the Crash

Following the plane crash that happened recently in Dubai, luckily causing no casualties except for the life of the fire-fighter Jasem Al-Beloushi, may God shower him with his mercy, UAE authorities stepped in to threaten people who post pictures or videos of the crash.  

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has warned the country’s residents to avoid posting images and videos of “aviation accidents” on social media, and reminded those who do so that they can be convicted. This comes after last month's UAE Ministry of Interior statement that such acts of posting photos on social networks “is deemed irresponsible behaviour and shows the lack of positive spirit among the citizenry. It is also a violation of the law.”

Even though the circulation of certain photos might cause disturbance to the victim's relatives when they view them, Cybercrime laws, under which this particular regulation falls, are considered to be sometimes unfair, as they have enforced escalated restrictions and have stifled freedoms, especially the freedom of speech.

Different views have pointed out to the fact that this law needs to be reviewed.