Tougher penalties for online personal privacy breaches near parliamentary approval

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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Stiffer penalties for snapping unauthorised photos or eavesdropping on private conversations are close to becoming law in Bahrain, with the Shura Council rallying behind a move to clamp down on digital privacy breaches.

Approved in principle yesterday, the law aims to stop the reckless spread of personal images, recordings, and messages on social media, taking on actions that put reputations and family privacy at risk.

The proposed law not only targets unauthorised sharing but also addresses specific invasions like eavesdropping, secret photography, and sharing private messages or calls. However, certain sections of the proposed law were deemed underdeveloped and have been sent back to the committee for further review.

“Lately, we’ve seen leaps in technology and artificial intelligence, especially deepfake technology, which can copy real images and voices without anyone taking a photo or tapping a call,” noted Shura Council member Hisham Al Qassab, questioning whether the law will address these issues.

The committee’s rapporteur explained that the changes aim to keep Bahrain’s Penal Code in line with modern issues, given that old penalties may no longer match the harm of today’s privacy breaches.

The goal is to prevent violations before they happen, especially in a time when social media makes sharing private moments far too easy.

Concerns

Dr Fatima Al Koohaji raised concerns about young people, stressing the need for schools to teach students to respect privacy.

She suggested that students be reminded that taking unauthorised photos could soon come with legal risks.

Second Deputy Chairperson Jehad Al Fadhel urged authorities to pair the law with a public awareness drive, saying that education would be the best line of defence against future breaches.

She also asked whether simply blurring faces in shared images goes far enough, wondering, “Does this truly protect a person’s privacy?” Dr Ali Al Rumaihi, Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee, backed the changes, arguing they are needed to protect Bahraini families from intrusive digital practices.

He assured the Council that the committee’s proposals fit with constitutional standards and government aims.

Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Waqf, His Excellency Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, confirmed the government’s readiness to work with the Shura Council, offering further input if required.

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“We’re ready to discuss any article, especially where tougher penalties or limits are proposed,” he said.

Al Maawda also noted the need to adjust laws to counter digital privacy threats, adding that a team within the Public Prosecution is studying global trends in AI-related offences to set rules against such breaches.

He further informed the Council that workshops and training sessions are being run to prepare Public Prosecution staff to tackle these challenges, getting Bahrain ready to face the growing issue of AI-driven crimes that threaten personal privacy.