Yes, dashcams are legal in the United Arab Emirates but subject to stringent privacy and data protection laws enforced by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and local emirate-level authorities. Compliance with Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) is mandatory, particularly regarding consent and storage of recorded footage. Recent 2026 regulatory shifts emphasize stricter penalties for unauthorized dissemination of personal data, including dashcam footage.
Key Regulations for Dashcams in United Arab Emirates
- Privacy Compliance: Dashcam recordings must not infringe on individuals’ privacy under PDPL. Capturing identifiable faces or license plates without consent in non-public spaces is prohibited.
- Data Storage Limits: Footage must be stored securely and deleted within 30 days unless required for legal proceedings, as per TDRA’s 2024 Data Retention Guidelines.
- Public vs. Private Use: Dashcams are permitted for personal safety but banned in restricted areas (e.g., military zones, government facilities) under Federal Law No. 2 of 2015 on Cybercrimes. Unauthorized recording in such zones may result in fines up to AED 500,000.
Violations may trigger enforcement by the TDRA, local police cybercrime units, or the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), with penalties including fines, data deletion orders, or criminal charges under cybercrime laws. Commercial use of dashcam footage (e.g., insurance claims) requires explicit consent from all recorded parties.