Dubai, Sharjah Schools Crack Down on Student Photography
Private schools across Dubai and Sharjah have begun enforcing stringent new guidelines regarding photography and videography on school premises. The move is designed to safeguard the privacy of students and staff, directly impacting the daily activities of expatriate families across the Emirates.
Strict Limits on Campus Media
Major educational institutions, including GEMS Winchester School – Dubai, GEMS Our Own English High School Sharjah – Boys, and the International School of Choueifat – Sharjah, have issued directives to parents and visitors. Under these new rules, capturing images or videos in sensitive areas is strictly prohibited if other students or staff members are visible without their explicit consent.
Prohibited zones include:
- Classrooms and corridors
- Playgrounds and assembly areas
- Student drop-off and pick-up zones
While parents are encouraged to take photos of their own children, they must ensure that no other child's face appears in the background of their shots. Furthermore, some schools have requested that parents delete any previously shared content that features other students.
The Social Media and WhatsApp Ban
The restrictions extend far beyond the school gates. The new policies explicitly forbid the sharing of any media featuring other students or staff on social media platforms or within WhatsApp groups without prior permission. This measure aims to prevent the unauthorized spread of images that could compromise a minor's privacy.
Severe Legal Consequences
These school regulations are not merely internal policies; they are aligned with strict UAE federal laws. The crackdown is supported by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) protocols and the Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection.
Most significantly, violating privacy through digital means can trigger heavy penalties under Article 44 of Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, which deals with the Combatting of Rumours and Cybercrimes.
Violations of these privacy laws can result in a minimum of six months of imprisonment and massive fines ranging from Dh150,000 to Dh500,000.
While official school-sanctioned photography will continue during designated events, parents are urged to remain vigilant and respect the privacy rights of the entire school community to avoid these significant legal repercussions.