Dubai and Sharjah Schools Ban Parents from Taking Photos on Campus Without Consent Under Privacy Rules

Schools in Dubai and Sharjah have issued circulars asking parents and visitors not to take photographs or videos on school premises where other students or staff may be captured without consent, according to Gulf News, Khaleej Times and multiple outlets reporting on October 5, 2026. The guidance covers classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, assemblies and drop-off and pick-up areas. GEMS Our Own English High School in Sharjah and GEMS Winchester School in Dubai both issued circulars citing UAE privacy requirements and recent guidance being reinforced across private schools. Parents are also being told not to share pictures or clips showing other students on WhatsApp groups, social media or other digital platforms without appropriate consent.

Schools said the only exceptions are official school open events where parents are specifically invited to attend and participate. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority's current school protocols recognise photographing students in vulnerable situations as a privacy violation. Under UAE law, personal data generally cannot be processed without consent, with specific exceptions, and schools say a child's image falls under this privacy concern.

The photography ban shifts the burden of compliance onto parents who may be accustomed to casual documentation of their children's school day. Parents who wish to capture moments at drop-off, pick-up or assemblies must now navigate the risk that a photo taken of their own child inadvertently includes another child whose family has not consented — creating potential enforcement uncertainty and friction. Schools have not detailed how they will monitor or enforce the ban beyond issuing the guidance, leaving the practical application unclear for families navigating daily routines.

Sources

Gulf News, "UAE schools ban parents from taking photos and sharing them on WhatsApp, social media," October 5, 2026, gulfnews.com Khaleej Times, "Dubai schools tighten photography rules as parents told not to capture other students," October 5, 2026, khaleejtimes.com Dubai Standard, "UAE schools restrict parents from taking and sharing photos on WhatsApp and social media," October 5, 2026, dubaistandard.com Emirates 24|7, "UAE private schools ban parents from taking photos on campus, and from sharing old ones on WhatsApp," October 1, 2026, emirates247.com