In a move underscoring the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to protecting individual rights and fostering a safe digital environment, the Public Prosecution reiterated that violating privacy through online platforms constitutes a criminal offense punishable by law. This reaffirmation, published on its official account on the X platform, comes as part of its ongoing efforts to raise legal awareness and combat cybercrime, which has become an increasing challenge in the digital age.
Legal context: Cybercrime Law
These warnings are based on a solid legal foundation: the Anti-Cybercrime Law, issued by Royal Decree No. M/17 dated 8/3/1428 AH. This law primarily aims to reduce cybercrime and define its penalties, thereby contributing to information security, preserving the rights arising from the legitimate use of computers and information networks, protecting public interest, morals, and decency, and safeguarding the national economy. Article 3 of the law explicitly stipulates penalties for anyone who "eavesdrops on, captures, or intercepts data transmitted via an information network or computer device without a valid legal justification," as well as for "unlawful access to threaten or blackmail a person," and "infringes upon privacy by misusing camera-equipped mobile phones or similar devices.".
The importance of the procedure and its expected impact
Domestically, this directive is of paramount importance given the massive expansion in the use of social media and digital technologies in the Kingdom. It sends a clear and decisive message that the digital space is not a lawless area, and that individual privacy is a red line that cannot be crossed. This stricter approach is expected to deter harmful practices such as defamation, cyber extortion, and the unauthorized publication of private photos and videos, thereby enhancing the sense of security among internet users and protecting the social fabric from the negative repercussions of these crimes.
Deterrent penalties to ensure the protection of rights
The Public Prosecution clarified that the penalties for these crimes may include imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of up to 500,000 riyals, or one of these two penalties, as stipulated in the Anti-Cybercrime Law. It emphasized that any use of devices or technological means in a way that violates the privacy of others, such as photographing them without their knowledge in private places or publishing their conversations, will subject the perpetrator to legal accountability. These measures aim not only to punish offenders but also to cultivate a societal culture that respects privacy and understands the seriousness of violating it in the digital world, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to build a vibrant society and a thriving, secure digital economy.
