New Cybercrime Law: Amendment targets unauthorized sharing of images and videos online without consent; law takes immediate effect
Qatar has implemented a major amendment to its cybercrime legislation, imposing strict penalties for privacy violations in the digital space. Under the new provisions, anyone found guilty of publishing or circulating images or video clips of individuals without their consent — even in public places — can face imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to QR100,000, or both, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
The amendment, issued as Law No. 11 of 2025 and approved by the Amir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, adds Article 8 bis to Qatar’s existing Cybercrime Law (Law No. 14 of 2014). It specifically addresses violations carried out through the internet or other digital technologies, strengthening protections for personal privacy in response to rising concerns over unauthorized online content sharing.
The law came into effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette on August 4, 2025
This legislation complements Qatar’s Personal Data Privacy Protection Law (Law No. 13 of 2016), which sets broader obligations and penalties for misuse of personal data, but focuses directly on individual-level privacy breaches in digital environments.
Under the amendment, offenders who share media content depicting individuals without consent, or in situations not permitted by law, will be subject to criminal prosecution.
The scope covers all forms of digital publication, including through social media, messaging platforms, and any information technology channels.
Qatar’s move reflects a growing global trend toward strengthening personal privacy protections and regulating the spread of personal content online. With immediate effect, the country joins jurisdictions enforcing tough penalties to deter unauthorized sharing of private images and videos.
