Royal Oman Police recently arrested a resident for violating the Information Technology Law after publishing a video clip.
The ROP statement on social media indicated that the video insulted some of the individuals with, “words contrary to what is acceptable.” Legal procedures were taken.
Up to what extent can an individual go when expressing oneself online?
In this age of social media, the line is between public and private spheres.
Technically, lifestyle, tourism, and travel videos would have wide shots, but how the subjects are portrayed is something all vloggers would have to bear in mind. They must be careful while taking videos where one breaches other people’s privacy unknowingly.
The Cyber Crime Law in Oman was issued as Royal No 12 of 2011 and it seeks, ‘To address a wide array of illegal activities involving a computer device, computer system or network.’ The formulation of this law began a new era of an e-enabled society that saw the evolution to the digital society.
A major milestone was the setting of the National IT strategy by the then Information Technology Authority, which is now part of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
In Oman, acts that are considered cyber crimes and violations attract penalties and fines. promotional activities
Between March and October 2023, a total of 1,080 licenses were issued after the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) strongly emphasized the need to obtain a license before engaging in marketing and promotional activities on websites and social media platforms.
Active use of social media with more and more users partaking in producing videos, reels, and vlogging has meant there is a need to understand the Cyber Law of Oman especially when it comes to the privacy of others who could be caught unaware of videos or photos.
Experts also warn that even when social media sites are restricted to friends-only status, they are also in effect public because one cannot control what the friends will do with that information or content.
Sarah al Sharji, a lawyer, said, “People should be aware that how they act online should be the same as how they would act in person; if they wouldn’t do something in person they should not do it online. Trespassing on someone’s property, for example, is something that most people would not dare do in person, but because the online property is so much more accessible and is easier to access even from other countries, people find it morally easier to use someone else’s property because it doesn’t feel the same as physically stepping onto someone’s property.”
She pointed out that it is also easier to intentionally say things that are defamatory when one is writing anonymously or under a pseudonym than saying the same thing to someone in person.
Richard O Mason, in his article, “Four Ethical Issues of the Information Age,” published by the Global Development Research Center, stated that privacy, accuracy, property and accessibility are the four major issues of ethics of the information age. He described Privacy: “What information about one’s self or one’s associations must a person reveal to others, under what conditions and with what safeguards? What things can people keep to themselves and not be forced to reveal to others? What is cyber ethics cyber law?”
In Oman, the Royal Oman Police urged people who face online crimes to call 80077444 or email info@rop.gov.om.
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