A recently established Facebook group that invites women in Dubai to post images and personal information about men they have dated may be breaching privacy laws in the UAE, according to legal professionals. The group, titled 'Are We Dating the Same Guy in Dubai,' has swiftly gained over 5,000 members since its inception. It has absorbed many members from an older group, 'Whose Guy Is It Anyway,' which was formed two years prior and operates under similar guidelines, albeit more discreetly, by providing subtle hints rather than explicit details. The newer group, however, adopts a more open approach, with women uploading photos of men accompanied by captions like, 'Any tea?' encouraging others to divulge sensitive details and warnings about these men.
A man whose image was featured in the group expressed his distress, stating, 'It is truly disheartening to see how this group has spread lies and hatred about me, especially from girls whom I have never even met in person. The gossip and false accusations have not only affected me personally, but also impacted my reputation in business. These actions are not only hurtful, but they are also damaging to my career and livelihood. I will be taking legal action against anyone who has intentionally posted false and damaging comments about me.'
Legal experts have warned about the risks associated with this practice. Ahmed Odeh, a legal consultant with Abu Baker Salem Advocates, emphasized the potential legal consequences in a widely shared video, cautioning that sharing photos and making comments could lead to criminal charges. He noted that the group could be violating multiple articles of UAE's Federal Decree-Law No. 34 of 2021 on Combating Rumors and Cybercrimes and Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (UAE Penal Code), with the severity of the violation and potential penalties varying based on the content shared and its impact on the individuals involved.
Group members have acknowledged that men are frequently ridiculed and criticized in the posts. Legal experts consulted by Khaleej Times confirmed that many of these posts violate local laws and could result in penalties. Poorvi Aswani, Principal Associate at legal consultancy firm CMI & Co, stated that using social media to publicly defame and criticize individuals for alleged 'double-dating' violates UAE defamation and privacy laws. She also highlighted that Federal Decree No. 34 on Countering Rumours and Cybercrimes penalizes the use of the internet and information systems for insulting or subjecting someone to punishment or contempt, even if the allegations are true, with both laws prescribing prison terms and fines.
Privacy concerns have also been raised, with some women in the group reporting being added to questionable subgroups after joining the group’s WhatsApp extension. An Italian marketing manager, who was removed from the Facebook group after expressing her concerns, told Khaleej Times, 'I didn’t sign up for this. I joined the group looking for information about my boyfriend after breaking up with him.' Efforts to contact the group admins for comments were unsuccessful, with their UAE phone numbers remaining unresponsive and messages going unanswered.
