Social networks are not watched: Dubai police

Dubai police have dismissed reports that they are watching social network websites to detect any abuses, saying privacy of users will be respected and only criminal activity will be tracked.

Acting police commander Major General Khamis Matar Al Mazinah said police would only intervene and hack a website when they receive information about offences or imminent criminal act such as child molestation.

“I can assure you that Twitter and Facebook are not under watch by Dubai’s police…we respect people’s privacy and do not chase their secrets and life details,” he told a security education conference in Dubai on Tuesday.

“There is a big difference between watching and following-up…Dubai police only follow up any website in case some one commits a crime through their personal account including insults and abuses in accordance with the laws which govern police work….we do not watch any specific persons.”

Mazinah said police could track what he described as suspected sites involved in extortion or luring children for molestation and other crimes.

“In this case police will intervene immediately…we have a sort of electronic police patrols intended to protect the society from criminal activity and arrest introducers stalking their targets in this country…our electronic patrols have succeeded in seizing many persons involved in crimes,” he said.

“Dubai’s police men and officers have not and will never be a tool to restrict personal liberties nor do they represent a censorship authority on social network websites as has been erroneously reported recently.”

[Image via Shutterstock]

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.