Dubai schools tighten photography rules to protect students’ privacy

Parents and visitors at private schools in Dubai are being urged to think twice before taking photographs or videos on school premises, as institutions reinforce privacy and safeguarding rules to protect children’s identities and personal information.

A recent circular issued to parents at a Dubai school asks families and visitors to refrain from taking photographs or recording videos that may capture other students or staff without their consent.

“In line with UAE privacy requirements and recent guidance being reinforced across private schools, we kindly ask parents and visitors to refrain from taking photographs or videos on school premises where other students or staff may be captured without their consent,” the circular states.

The guidance extends beyond classrooms to corridors, playgrounds, assemblies and school drop-off and pick-up areas. Parents have also been asked not to share photographs or videos featuring other students on social media, WhatsApp groups or other digital platforms without appropriate consent.

The move reflects growing attention to children’s privacy in an increasingly digital environment, where images taken during routine school activities can quickly circulate beyond their original audience.

Why a child’s photograph raises privacy concerns

Under the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data, the processing of personal data is generally subject to consent requirements, although the law provides for specific exceptions. The legislation establishes safeguards governing the confidentiality, security and protection of personal information.

These requirements operate alongside Dubai’s private-school regulatory framework, which places responsibility on schools to safeguard students’ rights and take appropriate measures to protect their welfare.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai’s private-school regulator, also recognises photography as a privacy concern under its school protocols. Photographing students in vulnerable situations can constitute a violation of their privacy.

This means even a family photograph taken at a school event can raise concerns if another child is clearly identifiable in the background and the image is subsequently shared without appropriate permission.

The risks increase when images are uploaded to social media or circulated through messaging groups, where parents may have little control over who downloads, forwards or saves them. Once shared, photographs can travel well beyond the original audience and become difficult to retrieve.

Schools to allow family photographs under designated arrangements

The guidance does not prevent parents from capturing their own children’s milestones altogether. Instead, families are being asked to follow school-specific arrangements that clearly establish when and where photography is permitted.

“Official school photography will continue to follow our established consent and safeguarding procedures,” the circular states.

The distinction is particularly relevant at concerts, assemblies, sports days and other school functions, where parents may want to preserve memories of their children’s achievements.

However, being invited onto school premises does not automatically grant permission to photograph or film every child present. Parents are expected to respect the privacy of other students and comply with the school’s photography rules.

Dubai schools have also adopted photography and videography policies that set conditions for obtaining parental consent before using children’s images and establish safeguards for school events and online sharing.

The message to families is clear: capturing a child’s special moment should not come at the expense of another student’s privacy.