School photo ban: Parents face Dh500,000 fines for unauthorized images

Schools in Dubai and Sharjah have issued circulars asking parents and visitors not to photograph or film students on campus, or share images containing other children through WhatsApp groups, social media or other digital platforms without appropriate consent. Legal experts clarify that parents taking photographs or videos of children on school premises without consent could face fines of up to Dh500,000 under UAE privacy laws if a complaint is raised with authorities and the conduct is found to constitute an offence. Educators emphasize that children's privacy and dignity must remain a priority, particularly when images can be circulated beyond their intended audience. School principals stress that permission to take a photograph should not be assumed to include permission to publish it, and that children's images should be treated with the same care as other personal information. The guidelines aim to help parents understand responsible sharing practices while protecting children's digital footprint and privacy rights.