Why Sharing a Screenshot Can Get You Jailed in the UAE
Why Sharing a Screenshot Can Get You Jailed in the UAE
为什么在阿联酋分享截图可能会让你入狱
When Iranian missile and drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates began earlier this year, cybercrime laws also came into focus as the conflict played out in the sky—and online. Authorities announced arrests linked to misleading videos, AI-generated clips, illegal filming, and the spread of misinformation. 今年早些时候，当伊朗对阿联酋发动导弹和无人机袭击时，随着冲突在空中和网络上同时展开，网络犯罪法也成为了焦点。当局宣布逮捕了与误导性视频、人工智能生成的片段、非法拍摄以及散布虚假信息有关的人员。
For many residents, the reaction was one of surprise: How could a screenshot, forwarded video, or social media post become a criminal matter? The answer lies in legal frameworks that were already in place. 对于许多居民来说，他们的反应是惊讶：一张截图、一段转发的视频或一条社交媒体帖子怎么会变成刑事案件？答案在于早已存在的法律框架之中。
During ordinary times, many forms of online misconduct can carry penalties under the UAE’s cybercrime laws. But during crises, emergencies, or disasters, the stakes rise considerably. UAE law Article 52 criminalizes using the internet to spread false news, misleading rumors, or content contrary to official announcements, as well as material that could disturb public peace, spread panic, or harm public order. 在平时，许多形式的网络不当行为都可能根据阿联酋的网络犯罪法受到处罚。但在危机、紧急情况或灾难期间，风险会显著增加。阿联酋法律第 52 条规定，利用互联网散布虚假新闻、误导性谣言或违背官方公告的内容，以及可能扰乱公共安宁、散布恐慌或危害公共秩序的材料，均属犯罪行为。
In normal circumstances, the minimum penalty is one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 UAE dirhams. During epidemics, crises, emergencies, or disasters, those figures double to a minimum of two years and 200,000 UAE dirhams. The recent conflict did not create a new law. It triggered stricter penalties under one that already existed. 在正常情况下，最低处罚为一年监禁和 10 万阿联酋迪拉姆罚款。在流行病、危机、紧急情况或灾难期间，这些数字会翻倍，最低处罚变为两年监禁和 20 万阿联酋迪拉姆罚款。最近的冲突并没有创造新法律，而是触发了现有法律下更严厉的处罚。
Legal consultant Ahmed Elnaggar, managing partner of Elnaggar & Partners, says the rationale for arrests related to online activity is consistent with that framework. “Content shared during emergencies is assessed not only for its accuracy, but also for its potential impact on stability, security, and public perception,” he says. “What might appear as commentary or documentation can, in such contexts, be interpreted as harmful or unlawful communication.” 法律顾问、Elnaggar & Partners 管理合伙人艾哈迈德·埃尔纳加尔（Ahmed Elnaggar）表示，与网络活动相关的逮捕理由与该框架是一致的。他说：“在紧急情况下分享的内容，不仅要评估其准确性，还要评估其对稳定、安全和公众认知的潜在影响。在这样的背景下，看似评论或记录的内容，可能会被解读为有害或非法的传播。”
Authorities ordered the arrest of defendants accused of publishing misleading videos, including AI-generated clips, and circulating material deemed harmful to public order and security. Abu Dhabi Police also announced the arrest of 375 people for illegally photographing designated locations and spreading misinformation online. 当局下令逮捕了被控发布误导性视频（包括人工智能生成的片段）以及传播被认为危害公共秩序和安全的材料的被告。阿布扎比警方还宣布逮捕了 375 人，原因是他们非法拍摄指定地点并在网上散布虚假信息。
From a legal standpoint, Elnaggar says, all content from unverified or unofficial sources during a conflict carries serious risk. “Only content issued by official, approved UAE public authorities should be treated as safe to share,” he says. 埃尔纳加尔表示，从法律角度来看，冲突期间来自未经核实或非官方来源的所有内容都带有严重风险。他说：“只有阿联酋官方批准的公共机构发布的内容，才应被视为可以安全分享。”
Long before the recent conflict, the UAE’s cybercrime framework has always extended beyond hacking, stolen passwords, and online fraud. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021, it also covers privacy violations, false information, misuse of digital platforms, online defamation, and other forms of harmful online conduct. 早在最近的冲突之前，阿联酋的网络犯罪框架就已不仅仅局限于黑客攻击、窃取密码和网络欺诈。根据 2021 年第 34 号联邦法令，它还涵盖了侵犯隐私、虚假信息、滥用数字平台、网络诽谤以及其他形式的有害网络行为。
For residents, tourists, creators, and anyone carrying a smartphone, the practical lesson is simple: Some common online habits can have legal implications. 对于居民、游客、创作者以及任何携带智能手机的人来说，实际的教训很简单：一些常见的网络习惯可能会带来法律后果。
When a Screenshot Stops Being Harmless
当截图不再无害时
Screenshots have become a language of their own. They document conversations, settle arguments, provide evidence in disputes, and occasionally serve no purpose beyond making a group chat briefly more interesting. But once a private exchange is copied and shared, it may no longer be treated as private—and intent is not always the only factor considered under the law. 截图已经成为一种独特的语言。它们记录对话、解决争论、提供纠纷证据，有时除了让群聊变得更有趣外别无他用。但一旦私人交流被复制和分享，它可能就不再被视为私密内容——而且在法律考量中，意图并不总是唯一的因素。
Elnaggar puts it plainly: “The law does not distinguish between formal publication and informal sharing when the outcome is the same.” 埃尔纳加尔直言不讳地指出：“当结果相同时，法律不会区分正式发布和非正式分享。”
A screenshot becomes legally problematic, Elnaggar says, when it exposes private communications without consent, distorts the context of what was said, or contributes to reputational harm. “The law assumes responsibility at the point of disclosure,” Elnaggar says. “Even if content was originally shared in confidence between two parties, redistributing it can transform a private exchange into a regulated media act with legal consequences.” 埃尔纳加尔说，当截图在未经同意的情况下暴露私人通讯、歪曲谈话背景或导致名誉受损时，它就会在法律上产生问题。“法律在披露的那一刻就认定责任，”埃尔纳加尔说。“即使内容最初是在双方之间私下分享的，重新分发也可能将私人交流转化为一种受监管的媒体行为，从而产生法律后果。”
Many users assume intent is the deciding factor. The law, broadly speaking, does not. 许多用户认为意图是决定性因素。但从广义上讲，法律并非如此。
Forwarding Still Counts
转发同样算数
A related misconception is that only the person who created problematic content carries any risk. That the person who wrote the message, filmed the video, started the rumor—not the person who simply passed it on—is at fault. That doesn’t hold up under UAE law. 一个相关的误区是，只有制造问题内容的人才承担风险。人们认为写下信息、拍摄视频、散布谣言的人才是有过错的，而仅仅转发的人则不然。这在阿联酋法律下是站不住脚的。
The legal definition of media activity is broad enough to capture not only original creators but anyone who participates in the circulation of content. “Publishing and republishing are treated in the same way. Liability is attached to the act of publication itself,” Elnaggar says. 媒体活动的法律定义非常广泛，不仅涵盖原创者，还涵盖任何参与内容传播的人。埃尔纳加尔说：“发布和转发被同等对待。责任归属于发布行为本身。”
The law states explicitly that the person responsible for a media activity bears responsibility for what is published—and that this applies, Elnaggar says, “whether the activity is permitted or not.” 法律明确规定，媒体活动的负责人应对所发布的内容承担责任——埃尔纳加尔说，这适用于“无论该活动是否被许可”。
Forwarding a message in a private group, in other words, is not a neutral act. “From a legal perspective,” Elnaggar says, “forwarding is a conscious step in the chain of dissemination, and therefore subject to the same scrutiny as original posting.” 换句话说，在私人群组中转发信息并非中立行为。埃尔纳加尔说：“从法律角度来看，转发是传播链条中有意识的一步，因此与原始发布受到同样的审查。”
This is particularly relevant in a region where WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat, Instagram, and X are central to how information moves. During fast-moving events, rumors often travel faster than official statements. 这一点在 WhatsApp、Telegram、Snapchat、Instagram 和 X 成为信息流动核心的地区尤为重要。在快速发展的事件中，谣言的传播速度往往快于官方声明。
There is a further point that surprises most people: The legal risk does not begin at the moment of sharing. During armed conflict, filming or photographing security-related activity—even without posting it anywhere—moves outside the cybercrime law and into the territory of the penal code, which carries significantly harsher penalties. For foreign nationals, that can include deportation. In some cases, Elnaggar says, the consequences can be more severe. 还有一点让大多数人感到惊讶：法律风险并非始于分享的那一刻。在武装冲突期间，拍摄或记录与安全相关的活动——即使不发布到任何地方——也会超出网络犯罪法的范畴，进入刑法领域，从而面临更严厉的处罚。对于外籍人士来说，这可能包括驱逐出境。埃尔纳加尔说，在某些情况下，后果可能会更严重。
In other words: During a conflict, the safest phone is one you don’t point at the sky. 换句话说：在冲突期间，最安全的手机是你不会指向天空的那一部。
This story originally appeared on WIRED Middle East. 本文最初发表于《连线》中东版。