WHY WORRY IF THERE'S NOTHING TO HIDE ON YOUR SMARTPHONE?

Checking your partner’s gadget without consent is illegal

We know that respecting privacy is vital for healthy relationships. But in the digital age, the line between online and offline privacy often gets blurred and causes suspicion between partners. In some cases, it could even lead to a breakdown of the relationship. Despite an overwhelming majority of UAE residents saying that their relationships are more

If you’re struggling, couples therapy can help identify both positive and problematic patterns of communication Farah Dahabi, a clinical social worker

important to them than their privacy, unhappy partners can fuel privacy fears, and overstepping boundaries can often lead to arguments, according to a recent survey conducted by Kaspersky Lab and Toluna,

The result of the recent poll confirmed that almost four out of 10, or 36 per cent of Internet users surveyed in the country, admitted to spying on their partner’s digital devices. Checking smartphones increase for those in an “unstable or unsure” relationship.

Farah Dahabi, clinical social worker and programme coordinator at The LightHouse Arabia, told Khaleej Times: “Mutual respect for one another’s privacy is a fundamental pillar of a healthy relationship. It is important for couples to explicitly agree what privacy means to them.”

Dahabi noted that “each relationship has its own unique boundaries. The decision to openly share device PINs and passwords will be unique to each couple. There is no right or wrong here if there is mutual consent,” she noted.

“But if you find yourself resisting the urge to check your partner’s phone, or already are, it is important to reflect and address your source of suspicions and insecurity within yourself and with your partner. Expressing this level of honesty can be difficult, but will help grow your relationship,” Dahabi underlined.

“If you’re struggling, couples therapy can help identify both positive and problematic patterns of communication and will aid to build healthy boundaries around respecting one another’s online and offline privacy,” she added.

Dahabi also said that UAE federal law criminalises breaching the privacy of your partner. “To check their phone, post content without their consent, or spying are all considered illegal.”

Kaspersky Lab noted that when we openly share access to our digital life, we are leaving our digital footprints exposed, and secrets — good or bad — laid bare.

“With so many partners using each other’s devices or snooping on their loved ones, privacy boundaries can go out of the window. This can thwart any Valentine’s Day or birthday surprises and prevent people from keeping things secret from their partner,” said Andrei Mochola, head of consumer business at Kaspersky Lab.

For Dubai resident James Christopher Arriola, striking the right balance between an honest relationship and keeping his privacy secure is hard but not impossible to do.

Arriola, who is in a long-distance relationship with his partner, Alyssa, for eight years, said there is always room for trust and privacy to go hand in hand by always being transparent with your partner.

“If you don’t have anything to hide, or are not doing anything suspicious thing, why worry?,” he stressed.

“Spying is not the problem but shunning or not involving your partner in your decisions will make the relationship unstable,” he said.