Unauthorised access to any computer system, account, or website is a serious criminal offence in Qatar. Article 2 of Law No. 14 of 2014 specifically targets unlawful access to information systems belonging to government authorities or institutions, with severe penalties attached. Even accessing a private individual's email, social media account, or device without their consent is prosecuted under the law.
Article 3 imposes a penalty of up to three years in prison and a fine of up to QR 500,000 for intentionally accessing a system or website without authorisation, especially where data is damaged, altered, or deleted as a result. If the target is a government system, penalties are typically higher. Article 4 covers unlawful interception of data transmissions, carrying up to two years in prison and fines of up to QR 100,000.
For expats, this means practical scenarios like guessing a partner's phone passcode and reading their messages, accessing a colleague's work account, or using someone's Wi-Fi without permission could all theoretically constitute offences. If you suspect you are the victim of unauthorised access, you can report it to Qatar's Cybercrime Combating Centre (C3) through the Ministry of Interior.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Qatar.