UAE: Doctor fined AED50,000 for stealing data from hospital, former workplace, patients – News

In court, the doctor denied any wrongdoing, arguing he retrieved the data in a capacity to do his job

A doctor in Abu Dhabi has been fined Dh50,000 for illegally obtaining confidential information of the hospital where he works, including patient data, addresses and phone contacts.

The man used the information to contact patients in order to complete their treatment and provide them with other medical care at a private practice he joined after his discharge.

Abu Dhabi Medical Center has filed a complaint with the Abu Dhabi Court of First Instance accusing their former doctor of stealing their confidential information and stealing their clients and patients.

The defendant had previously worked as a specialist at the hospital, but he took advantage of his position to steal data, addresses and phone contacts of patients at the medical center.

He later contacted patients to complete their treatment at his private practice after he was discharged from the hospital.

The hospital said it suffered financial losses from the theft of customers’ data, damage to health care’s reputation and a lack of confidence among patients due to its inability to protect the confidentiality of its data.

In court, the doctor denied any wrongdoing. His lawyers argued that the client data used by his clients was not confidential because he obtained the information in his capacity as a physician. Lawyers have asked for the case to be dismissed.

After hearing all parties, the court ruled and ordered the doctor to pay a Dh50,000 fine after illegally obtaining information without the permission of the medical center where he worked and using it for his own benefit.