In an effort to curb WhatsApp's viral misinformation issues, the app has started labeling messages as forwarded messages recently. Social media experts warn that spreading inaccurate information in Oman remains illegal regardless of who originated them.
IT and legal expert Riyadh al Balushi, said, “Generally speaking, I do not believe that the law makes a distinction between creating an original message and forwarding a message written by someone else. For example, some provisions in the Penal Code criminalise the 'distribution' of certain information and therefore it is not relevant who the original author of the content is in such a case.”
A WhatsApp user, Hassan A said he was unclear about the issue. “I was hoping the local media would do something to clarify this. I believe people will get into trouble for forwarding things they shouldn't, since they are not creators of the message . Before forwarding something, I do a quick search on it. For example, if it's a news story from a suspicious site, a quick search will reveal whether the story has been picked up by other sites.”
With regard to what is appropriate or not, it is important for users of social media to remember that it is illegal in Oman to spread false information, confidential content, blasphemous content, indecent content, and content that violates the privacy of others, noted Balushi. “It is also important for users of social media to remember that once a photograph or a message goes online, it is very easy for others to copy it and spread it, even if that would be in violation of the law.”
With regard to taking photographs of individuals, the Penal Code makes it clear that it is illegal to 'capture' or 'communicate' photographs that infringe the privacy of individuals regardless of the technology used, he added.
“I believe that 'forwarding' an illegal photograph would violate this provision even if the forwarder is not the person who actually took the photograph.”
Another WhatsApp user Abhilash Menon, said, “The forwarded feature hasn't changed my usage of the app much. I have to admit that when I forward controversial messages to a group, I'm happy to be able to say it was forwarded. The opposite is true. When I forward a message that is well received, I wish it didn't say 'forward'.”
Marlen Penner, head of digital at Zeenah, an integrated marketing company explained, “Social media is very much about common sense. You wouldn’t share your life details with random strangers on the street, so why do so across social media, with people you probably don’t know that well and without taking control of your privacy settings. Manners are something we are instilled in through our parents or surroundings, make use of them also when communicating online and think before you share or forward content that may be harmful or hurtful to others.”
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