On March 11, a Japanese national, who was scheduled to travel to Europe, was detained by authorities at Zayed International Airport after taking photographs of unauthorized areas and public officials performing their duties.
In the UAE, it is prohibited to take photos of:
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Government facilities (e.g., government buildings, military barracks, etc.)
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Public facilities (e.g., ports, airports, oil facilities, etc.)
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Military and security personnel and their vehicles
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Public officials while performing their duties (e.g., police or fire officers at the scene of an incident or accident)
Violating these restrictions could result in legal consequences.
Recommendation:
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Avoid taking photographs in or around government or public facilities, and refrain from photographing law enforcement or emergency personnel in action.
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Short-term travelers and business visitors should be especially mindful of these regulations.
