Morocco: New Privacy Law to Protect Personal Data

A new Moroccan privacy rule will be enforced starting Sept.13 to protect personal data from online abusers and blackmailers, according to local press reports.

Under the new regulation, anybody who ventures to publish photos and videos of people without their consent risk prison terms from six months to three years and fines going up to $5000.

The move to criminalize violation of personal data and toughen up privacy comes after some disturbing photos and shocking videos were posted lately online in revenge or just for the sake of keeping up audiences entertained.

These images, which went viral in social media networks, caused irreparable damage to the victims who will be able to take legal action against any misuse of their personal information.

The new law will add an instrument to the Moroccan legal arsenal to protect better individuals against abusive usages of their personal data that could potentially harm their privacy. Moreover, the protection of privacy is a fundamental right stipulated by the new Constitution of Morocco.

Data protection laws prohibit the disclosure or misuse of information about private individuals and many countries around the world have laws against nonconsensual disclosure of personal images and videos.

In Europe, the United States and Asia, the victims often sue the perpetrators for compensations for infliction of emotional distress. They can also force websites to remove the undesirable material from major online platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.