Do social media messages constitute harassment under the law?

Are emails via social media considered harassment under the law?

Disclaimer: This is a legal article that provides information that does not replace consulting a competent lawyer to help you and for more accurate information.

Yes, emails and social media comments can be considered harassment under the system; what matters is not the means of sending or publishing, but the content of the behavior and the availability of its systemic elements.

Article 1 of the Anti-Harassment Crime Law states:

“The crime of harassment, for the purpose of applying the provisions of this system, means any word, action or gesture with a sexual connotation, issued by a person towards any other person, that affects his body or honor, or offends his modesty, by any means, including modern technical means.”

Therefore, a message or comment may constitute harassment whenever it is:

1. Directed from one person to another;
2. Including a word or gesture with a sexual connotation;
3. Harming the recipient’s body or honor or offending his modesty;
4. Sent or published via a technical means, such as private messages, comments, or conversations on social media platforms.

It is not sufficient alone for a comment to be disturbing, offensive, or contain criticism or sarcasm; it must have the gender and impact specified in the definition of Article 1. Other regulatory descriptions may apply to offensive content that does not have a sexual connotation, depending on its expressions and the facts of its publication, but it is not described as harassment under this system simply for the sake of abuse.

In the workplace, Article 1 of the Controls for Protection from Behavioral Abuse confirms that behavioral abuse, including harassment, may occur in writing, by telephone, or by other electronic means. Article 2 of the controls also includes work-related communications provided by information and communications technology. Therefore, work-related messages or comments may also be subject to the facility’s internal procedures, without prejudice to criminal liability when the crime of harassment is present.

For law and legal consultations..Contact the office of lawyer Abdul Majeed Al Rashid

References

• Article 1 of the Anti-Harassment Crime Law
• Article 1 of the Controls for Protection from Behavioral Violations in the Work Environment
• Article Two of the Controls for Protection from Behavioral Violations in the Work Environment