AI Image Misuse in Bahrain: Privacy, Consent and Legal Risks
Using, editing, publishing or AI-manipulating another person’s image without the appropriate consent may expose individuals to legal consequences under Bahrain’s privacy protections.
— 11/06/2026 04:00:00 AM — 13 views
The rapid development of artificial intelligence and digital editing tools has made it increasingly easy to alter, recreate or animate images of real individuals.
However, the availability of these technologies does not remove the legal protections surrounding a person’s image, privacy and consent in Bahrain.
Speaking to The Daily Tribune, senior legal counsel at Manal Dhahi Legal Group, Amina Bukhammas, highlighted that obtaining a person’s permission to take a photograph does not necessarily mean that permission has also been granted to publish, edit, manipulate or otherwise use that image.
Does Taking a Photograph Give Permission to Publish It?
Not automatically.
During the Ministry of Interior’s Al Aman Program, Colonel Dr. Ossama Bahar explained that an individual’s right over their personal image remains protected even as artificial intelligence and advanced digital-editing technologies become more widely available.
Permission to photograph an individual and permission to publish that photograph should be treated as separate matters.
What About AI-Generated or Manipulated Images?
The same concerns become more significant when artificial intelligence is used to alter or recreate images of real people.
AI tools can now modify facial features, generate realistic variations of photographs, animate still images and create videos that appear to depict actions or statements that never occurred.
According to the legal position highlighted in The Daily Tribune, editing, modifying or generating AI-based images or videos involving real individuals without appropriate consent can potentially result in legal consequences.
The fact that the original photograph may have been taken with permission does not necessarily provide unrestricted permission to digitally alter or repurpose it.
Consent Should Be Specific to the Intended Use
Consent is therefore an important consideration when dealing with personal images.
Permission to take a photograph may not automatically constitute permission to:
- publish the image;
- upload it to social media;
- use it for advertising or commercial purposes;
- digitally edit or manipulate it;
- animate the photograph;
- create AI-generated variations of it; or
- distribute it in another context.
Individuals and organizations using personal images should therefore consider whether the consent obtained actually covers the way in which the image will be used.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Bahrain-Saudi Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
Permission to take a photograph does not necessarily mean permission has also been granted to publish it. The circumstances, consent provided and intended use of the image can all be relevant.
Using AI or digital tools to modify an identifiable person’s image without appropriate permission may raise legal concerns relating to privacy and personal-image rights.
Not automatically. Consent to take a photograph and consent to publish or distribute the photograph can be separate matters.
Depending on the nature and severity of the infringement, misuse of personal images may result in legal consequences including criminal liability, civil claims, imprisonment or financial penalties.