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Can I take legal action if a colleague accessed my private messages at work?

Hello,

My colleague opened my computer and checked my WhatsApp messages while I was out of the office.

Can I file a case against this person?

What legal procedure should I follow?

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Mohamed Bakheet Advocates & Legal Consultants
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21 Apr 2025, 11:52

Hello,

Yes, accessing your computer and checking your WhatsApp messages without your permission may be considered a violation of your privacy and could expose the person to legal action.

In the UAE, such actions are considered a breach of the Privacy Protection Law and may be covered by the Anti-Cybercrime Law.

The legal action you can take is to document the incident and make sure to gather available evidence, such as WhatsApp messages or any other evidence proving that your colleague accessed your computer without permission.

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Future Vision Advocates Legal Consultancy
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21 Apr 2025, 11:52

Greetings,

Accessing someone’s private messages without consent, such as opening WhatsApp on your work computer, may be considered a violation of the UAE Cybercrime Law, especially if it involves a breach of privacy or unauthorized access to personal data.

You may have grounds to file a criminal complaint, depending on the circumstances and intent behind the act.

To evaluate your case accurately and guide you through the legal steps, we recommend booking a consultation or authorizing our office to act on your behalf.

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Rashid Khalil Obaid Advocates and Legal Consultancy
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21 Apr 2025, 11:52

Your colleague accessing your computer and reading your WhatsApp messages without permission is considered a violation of privacy under UAE law.

You can file a police complaint with supporting evidence, such as device access logs or CCTV footage, and request to open a criminal case for breach of privacy.

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Abdulla Almazrouei Advocates & Legal Consultants
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21 Apr 2025, 11:53

Thank you for reaching out!

Accessing your WhatsApp messages without permission is a violation of the UAE Cybercrime Law. To proceed, we recommend you come to our office for a consultation where we will:

1. Review the details and evidence.

2. Guide you on filing a complaint and legal actions.

3. Discuss any potential civil claims.

Please let me know a convenient time for your visit.

Best regards,

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Rashid Khalil Obaid Advocates and Legal Consultancy
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21 Apr 2025, 12:27

Dear questioner,

Your colleague's actions could constitute a cybercrime in the UAE. You have the right to file a case. The recommended steps are to gather evidence, report to HR, and then file a criminal complaint with the police if you wish to pursue legal action under the cybercrime law.

If you need further clarification, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

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Jassim Ali Al Haddad Lawyers and Legal Consultants
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21 Apr 2025, 12:28

Dear Inquirer,

We are pleased to serve you and address your inquiries.

You must prove the violation of privacy first before you can file a complaint.

Kindly contact us via phone or email for further assistance.

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London Center for Legal Consultancy Office
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21 Apr 2025, 12:42

Yes, according to UAE law, accessing someone else's device or viewing their private data (such as WhatsApp messages) without permission is a criminal offense under the UAE Cybercrime Law (Federal Law No. 5 of 2012).

You can file a complaint with the police or public prosecution, supported by any available evidence.

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