An Abu Dhabi court has ordered a man to pay AED 20,000 in compensation to a social media influencer after filming and publishing a video featuring him without his consent.

The case was reported by UAE media outlets on Sunday, October 18, 2026, following a judgment by the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court.

According to the published details, the defendant shared the recording through TikTok and Snapchat, accompanied by comments that the claimant considered damaging to his reputation.

The influencer argued that the publication violated his privacy and caused harm to his personal standing and public image.

He sought AED 450,000 in compensation for alleged financial and non-financial losses arising from the incident.

The court examined the circumstances of the recording and publication, together with the evidence presented in support of the compensation claim.

It concluded that the claimant had suffered compensable moral harm in connection with the defendant’s conduct.

However, the court did not find sufficient proof of the claimed financial losses to justify the full amount requested.

It therefore ordered the defendant to pay AED 20,000 rather than the AED 450,000 originally sought.

The judgment highlights the potential legal consequences of filming individuals and distributing their images or videos without appropriate consent.

The case also illustrates how accompanying comments may become relevant when a publication is alleged to damage a person’s reputation.

Social media platforms allow recordings to reach large audiences rapidly, increasing the potential impact of material shared without the subject’s agreement.

Nevertheless, compensation in such cases depends on the specific circumstances, applicable law, evidence and judicial assessment.

The ruling should not be interpreted as establishing an automatic AED 20,000 penalty for every video published without consent.

Individuals and businesses using social media should exercise care when recording others or posting material that identifies them.

Users should also avoid attaching insulting or unsupported claims to recordings, as these may create additional legal risks.

The case serves as a reminder that online publication can have real legal and financial consequences beyond the digital environment.

Source: Emarat Al Youm