Public Prosecution warns against sharing of private content

Muscat: The Public Prosecution in the Sultanate of Oman has warned that publishing news, photographs, or comments related to the private or family life of individuals without their consent is a criminal offence punishable under the country’s Penal Code.

In a statement issued as part of its ‘#MissingLink Campaign’, the Public Prosecution said that sharing such content — even if the information is true — without the approval of the persons concerned could result in imprisonment for up to one year.

The authority cited Article 330 of the Penal Code, which criminalises violations of personal privacy and family life through various forms of publication.

The campaign aims to promote awareness about respecting privacy rights and encouraging responsible use of social media and digital platforms.

The Public Prosecution warned against digital threats, stressing that such acts are punishable under Oman’s Cybercrime Law.

In another message, the authority highlighted the risks of using information technology and social media platforms to threaten or extort individuals, noting that strict penalties are in place to protect privacy.

According to the prosecution, threatening or blackmailing a person into carrying out an act through information networks or digital communication tools constitutes a criminal offence under Article 18 of the Cybercrime Law.