Sharing pictures of accidents on social media can land you in jail!

Sometimes, you may have clicked pictures of accidents, or even seen others do it on countless occasions on social media.

But times are changing and unlawful posting of accident pictures on social media can attract a hefty fine and even land you in jail.

The Cabinet has amended the Penal Code — including penalties for clicking and sharing photographs of accident victims — and referred it to the Advisory Council for further action.

The Cabinet, meeting at the Emiri Diwan under HE the Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, took the important decision.

Qatar News Agency reported that amendments include punishment for those found clicking pictures and recording videos — and sharing/transferring them — of accident victims (injured or deceased) through devices of any kind in unauthorised cases.

The amendment is aimed at prohibiting the widely prevalent practice of sharing accident victims' pictures, mostly on social media platforms.

Some earlier reports had said that such actions could be punished by imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year in prison and/or a fine not exceeding QR5,000.

The same fine can be given to a person who spreads news, photographs or comments related to a person’s private life, or that of his family, even if true.

The Cabinet has taken the necessary measures to issue a draft law on the official gazette after being briefed on the Advisory Council's recommendations in this regard.

So QLers, please be doubly careful about what you post on social media in the coming days.