Law No. 9 of 2011 Regulating the Use of Security Cameras and Monitoring Devices

Law No. 9 of 2011 Regulating the Use of Security Cameras and Monitoring Devices

We, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, Having reviewed the Constitution, And having reviewed Emiri Decision No. 14 of 2009 on the organizational structure of the Ministry of Interior, And having reviewed the proposal of the Minister of Interior, And having reviewed the draft law submitted by the Council of Ministers, And after taking the opinion of the Shura Council, Have decreed the following law:

Article (1) In the application of this Law, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings set forth opposite each of them, unless the context requires otherwise: The Ministry: The Ministry of Interior. The Minister: The Minister of Interior. The Competent Authority: The authority designated by the Minister. Cameras and Monitoring Devices: Any device prepared for capturing, transmitting, and recording images, used for security surveillance and protection. Recordings: What is captured, transmitted, and recorded by cameras and monitoring devices. Establishments: Hotels and commercial complexes, residential buildings, malls, supermarkets, banks, real estate and vehicle sales offices, sports and cultural clubs, tourism and leisure centers, clinics, hospitals, warehouses, and storage facilities for security materials and dangerous goods designated by the Competent Authority, as well as establishments designated by a decision of the Council of Ministers upon the Minister's recommendation.

Article (2) The owners of establishments and their managers shall install security cameras and monitoring devices on the front facade, provided that they have adequate capacity.

Article (3) Establishments shall maintain and operate their cameras and monitoring devices on a regular and continuous basis, to ensure the quality of their performance and their ongoing compliance with the domestic standards issued by decision of the Minister. The Competent Authority may, upon entering establishments, inspect the cameras and monitoring devices to verify their compliance with domestic standards and their effectiveness in preventing violations.

Article (4) The Competent Authority shall determine the locations, directions, installation of cameras and monitoring devices, and their number in establishments and public places throughout the State. The Competent Authority may, subject to general requirements, require any establishment to connect its cameras and monitoring devices to the authority's systems.

Article (5) Establishments shall display clear and visible signs indicating that the premises are equipped with surveillance cameras.

Article (6) Establishments shall be responsible for recordings for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days, without making any alterations to them, and shall submit them to the Competent Authority upon request. They must also delete recordings immediately after the expiration of this period.

Article (7) The transmission, storage, sending, or publication of any recordings shall be subject to the approval of the Competent Authority.

Article (8) The installation of security cameras and monitoring devices shall be prohibited in public toilets, natural bathing areas, women's restrooms, and places designated for women.

Article (9) Recordings obtained through cameras and monitoring devices in establishments shall be considered valid evidence before inspection and adjudication authorities, unless the contrary is proven.

Article (10) Without prejudice to any stricter penalty stipulated in another law, a violation of Articles (7) and (8) of this Law shall be punished by imprisonment for a term not exceeding five (5) years and/or a fine not exceeding fifty thousand (50,000) riyals, or both penalties. The Court may, at its discretion, suspend the execution of the imposed penalty for a period not exceeding one year or replace it with suspension.

Article (11) Without prejudice to any stricter penalty stipulated in another law, a violation of Articles (2), (3) first paragraph, (4) second paragraph, (5), and (6) of this Law shall be punished by imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year and/or a fine not exceeding forty thousand (40,000) riyals, or both penalties. The Court may, at its discretion, suspend the execution of the imposed penalty for a period not exceeding one year or replace it with suspension.

Article (12) The manager of the legal entity shall be subject to the penalties stipulated in the preceding two articles if he was aware of the violation, or failed to fulfill the obligations imposed on him by that management and contributed to its occurrence. The legal entity shall be jointly liable for the payment of fines and compensation, if the violation was committed by its employees in their name and for their benefit.

Article (13) Establishments operating on the date of implementation of this Law shall regularize their status within one year from the date of its implementation.

Article (14) All Competent Authorities shall, each within their respective jurisdiction, implement this Law. It shall be published in the Official Gazette.

Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Amir of the State of Qatar Issued at the Emiri Diwan on: 1439/6/25 AH Corresponding to: 2018/5/28 AD