Manama: People’s right to privacy received a new boost in Bahrain after the government approved a draft to amend the law, and give enforcers new powers against social media abusers.
Under the amendment, anyone who posts or publicises news, pictures or comments related to private or family lives in order to defame or offend individuals will be sent to jail for three to 12 months.
The abuser will also be made to pay a fine ranging from BD100 to BD500, the amendment stipulated.
The new legal measures apply even if the news or photos are genuine.
The cabinet, in its session on Monday, said the amendments to the 1976 Penal Code had been proposed by the Shura Council, the upper chamber of the bicameral parliament, last year.
The draft was referred to the Council of Representatives, the lower chamber, for debate by its 40 members. If approved, it will become law.
