Saudi Gazette, 9 June 2022: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a Communications and Information Technology Law.

Under the Law, service providers and digital content platforms have to conclude agreements between them to ensure the protection of cybersecurity and critical infrastructure.

Violators could have their licence suspended or be fined up to 25 million Riyals.

Service providers have to take all necessary measures and make arrangements to ensure the protection of the confidentiality of the user’s personal information and documents and not disclose them without their consent.

Service providers also have to inform the user immediately about this if their information and documents have been compromised in any way and take the necessary measures to protect them.

The National Cybersecurity Authority is responsible for introducing the appropriate framework for announcing, promoting or amending price tariffs, or entering into agreements with a service provider outside the Kingdom to provide international roaming or any other service, or to establish, sell, or promote or use calling cards.

Telephone calls and information sent or received through public telecommunication networks must be kept confidential and may not be viewed, listened to, or recorded except in cases specified by the regulations.

No one must possess, sell, lease, manufacture, produce or circulate any device, hardware, tool, service, system, programme, or anything similar, related to telecommunications or information technology which does not comply with the approved technical specifications and standards or with the requirements and controls set by the Authority.

Anyone who engages in any practice which undermines competition in the communications and information technology sector, or damages, infringes or cuts telecommunication networks, or benefits from them in illegal ways, or disrupts communications or prevents the exchange of information in general will also be committing an offence.

Penalties will be imposed on those who commit these crimes intentionally or negligently, or possesses any communication and information technology devices without obtaining the necessary licence.

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