The penalty for offensive WhatsApp stickers in Saudi Arabia is a fine of 500,000 riyals
Legal advisors in Saudi Arabia have warned that using or designing offensive WhatsApp stickers without the explicit permission of the individuals depicted could subject the perpetrator to penalties under the Kingdom's anti-cybercrime law. The experts explained that these digital practices, which some may consider a form of humor, fall under the legal definition of cybercrimes if they involve defamation, slander, or invasion of privacy. Violators could face severe penalties, including imprisonment and hefty fines of up to 500,000 Saudi riyals.
How does Saudi law criminalize offensive WhatsApp stickers?
Legal consultant and lawyer Bandar Mohammed Hussein Al-Amoudi explained that designing or distributing stickers bearing people's faces without their explicit permission constitutes a blatant violation of privacy. According to Article 3 of the Kingdom's Anti-Cybercrime Law, any act that infringes upon privacy through the misuse of fully equipped mobile phones or similar devices is a crime, as is defaming or harming others.
Al-Amoudi pointed out that the penalties for these practices include imprisonment for up to one year, a fine not exceeding 500,000 riyals, or one of these two penalties. He emphasized that legal responsibility is not limited to the person who created the sticker, but may extend to anyone who contributes to its dissemination and circulation through groups if criminal intent to offend or defame is proven.
Legislative development of digital justice in the Kingdom
These strict legal warnings come in the context of the massive digital boom and rapid technological transformation that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. With the expansion of digital communication and the increasing reliance on instant messaging platforms, the legislative environment in the Kingdom has been keen to keep pace with these changes by updating and activating the Anti-Cybercrime Law to deter any behaviors that may harm societal security or violate the privacy of citizens and residents.
The social and security impact of regulating digital behavior
The importance of these laws extends beyond mere punishment; they have a profound positive impact at both the local and regional levels. Locally, these laws contribute to raising public awareness of the importance of respecting digital privacy and reducing cyberbullying and extortion. Regionally and internationally, these steps enhance the Kingdom's position as a safe and reliable digital environment that guarantees the protection of individuals' personal rights and intellectual property in cyberspace.
Specific cases for criminalizing the use of images and stickers
For his part, legal researcher Abdulmalik Al-Fassi confirmed that cases involving the use of images via technological means often fall under the purview of the Anti-Cybercrime Law. Al-Fassi explained that classifying an act as a crime is not automatic, but rather depends on the presence of the elements and circumstances stipulated by the law, such as the act being accompanied by defamation, blackmail, or direct abuse intended to harm the individual.
Legal experts urged social media users to exercise extreme caution and avoid using private photos shared in groups as stickers without the owners' consent. In cases of abuse, victims have the right to seek help from the relevant authorities and file an official complaint through the "Kulluna Amn" (We Are All Security) application or at police stations to ensure their rights are protected and the necessary legal procedures are initiated according to established regulations.
