In Qatar, photographing accident scenes without authorization and disseminating rumors—particularly during wartime—constitute criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment and fines under national law.
Amendments introduced under Law No. 4 of 2017, which revised certain provisions of the Penal Code originally issued under Law No. 11 of 2004, outline penalties for violations of personal privacy.
Article 1 of the amended law stipulates that anyone who infringes upon the privacy of individuals without their consent, and outside circumstances permitted by law, may face up to two years in prison, a fine of up to QR10,000, or both. The provision applies to a range of actions, including:
- Opening or intercepting private correspondence or telegrams addressed to others;
- Eavesdropping on telephone conversations;
- Recording or transmitting conversations that take place in a private setting using any type of device;
- Capturing or sharing photographs or video footage of individuals in a private location by any means.
The same penalties apply to individuals who photograph or record people in public places with the intent to defame or harm them. Sanctions also extend to those who capture or circulate images or videos of injured or deceased persons involved in accidents without legal authorization.
Further amendments were enacted under Law No. 2 of 2020, which introduced additional provisions to the Penal Code.
Article 136 (bis) establishes penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine not exceeding QR100,000, or either of these punishments, for anyone who broadcasts, publishes, or republishes false or misleading information, rumors, or provocative propaganda—whether domestically or abroad—if the act is intended to undermine national interests, incite public opinion, or disrupt the country’s social or public order.
The law specifies that penalties are doubled if the offense occurs during wartime.