Defamation and Online Harassment Laws in Saudi Arabia

Under Article 48 of the Basic Law of Governance, Saudi courts apply Islamic Sharia, as taught by the Quran and the Sunnah, along with regulations issued by the head of state in line with them. There is no stand-alone defamation statute. The main written rules are the Anti-Cyber Crime Law of 2007, which makes defamation through information technology a crime, and the Law of Printed Materials and Publication, whose text as issued in 2000 says printed material must not harm a person's dignity or reputation. The official English translations are for guidance only; the Arabic texts govern.

Sources1Basic Law of Governance, Article 48 (WIPO Lex)2Anti-Cyber Crime Law, Royal Decree No. M/17 (2007), Article 3(5) (official translation, MCIT)3Law of Printed Materials and Publication, Royal Decree No. M/32 (2000), Article 9 (WIPO Lex)

Article 3 of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law makes defaming or harming others through information technology devices a crime, with up to one year in prison, a fine of up to SAR 500,000, or both. The law gives investigation and prosecution to the state prosecution body. Equipment and software used in the crime may be confiscated, and a website used to commit it may be shut down if the owner knew about the crime.

Source2Anti-Cyber Crime Law, Articles 3, 13 and 15 (official translation, MCIT)

Under Article 35 of the Law of Printed Materials and Publication (text as issued in 2000), a periodical that attributes a false statement to someone or publishes incorrect news must print a correction free of charge when the person concerned asks. The correction goes in the first issue after the request, in the same place as the original item or in a prominent spot, and anyone harmed may also claim compensation.

Source3Law of Printed Materials and Publication, Article 35 (WIPO Lex)

The Anti-Cyber Crime Law does not use the term cyberstalking, but it makes it a crime to spy on, intercept or obtain someone's data sent over a network or computer without legal authorization, and to access a computer unlawfully in order to threaten or blackmail a person. Each offense carries up to one year in prison, a fine of up to SAR 500,000, or both.

Source2Anti-Cyber Crime Law, Article 3(1)-(2) (official translation, MCIT)

The Anti-Harassment Law of 2018 defines harassment as any words, act or gesture of a sexual nature aimed at another person, by any means, including modern technology. The penalty is up to two years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 100,000, or both, rising to up to five years, up to SAR 300,000, or both for repeat offenses or aggravating factors such as a child victim or an offender with authority over the victim. Non-sexual online abuse that defames or harms someone can fall under Article 3(5) of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law.

Sources4Anti-Harassment Law in Saudi Arabia (Saudipedia, Ministry of Media)2Anti-Cyber Crime Law, Article 3(5) (official translation, MCIT)

Saudi law has no offense named doxxing, but producing, preparing, sending or storing material that violates privacy through an information network or computer is a crime under Article 6(1) of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 3 million, or both. Publishing someone's private details online may fall under this provision.

Source2Anti-Cyber Crime Law, Article 6(1) (official translation, MCIT)

Invading someone's privacy by misusing camera phones or similar devices is a crime under Article 3(4) of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, with up to one year in prison, a fine of up to SAR 500,000, or both. Producing or spreading material online that violates privacy or public morals falls under Article 6(1), with up to five years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 3 million, or both.

Source2Anti-Cyber Crime Law, Articles 3(4) and 6(1) (official translation, MCIT)