Saudi authorities have reiterated that spreading or forwarding false information online, including through social media or WhatsApp, constitutes a criminal offense under the Kingdom’s Law on Combating Information Crimes.
The law prescribes penalties of up to five years in prison, fines reaching SR3 million (about $800,000), confiscation of devices used in the offense, and even publication of court judgments in local media at the offender’s expense.
Officials emphasized that rumors capable of disturbing public order, safety, or morals are treated with utmost seriousness. Previous enforcement included cases of false claims about canceled Riyadh Season concerts and the spread of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, when offenders faced fines of SR100,000–1,000,000 and jail terms of one to five years.
Citizens and residents have been urged to verify news from official sources, as even forwarding an unverified message can result in prosecution.
