Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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• Introduction to ethics and cyber law
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Article 2
This Law aims at combating cybercrimes by identifying such crimes and determining their punishments to ensure the
following:
• Enhancing information security.
• Protecting rights pertaining to the legitimate use of computers and information networks.
• Protecting public interest, morals, and common values.
• Protecting the national economy.
Article 3
Any person who commits any of the following cybercrimes shall be subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding
one year and a fine not exceeding 500,000 riyals, or either penalty:
• Spying on, or interception or reception of data transmitted through an information network or a computer without
legitimate authorization.
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• Unauthorized access with the intention of threatening or blackmailing any person to compel him to take or
refrain from taking an action, be it lawful or unlawful.
• Unauthorized access to a web site, or hacking a web site to change its design, destroy or modify it, or occupy
its URL.
• Invasion of privacy through the misuse of camera-equipped mobile phones and the like.
• Defamation and infliction of damage upon others through the use of various information technology devices.
Article 4
Any person who commits any of the following cybercrimes shall be subject to imprisonment for a period not
exceeding three years and a fine not exceeding 2,000,000 riyals, or either penalty:
• Acquisition of movable property or bonds for oneself or others or signing such bonds through fraud or the use
of a false name or identity.
• Illegal access to bank or credit data, or data pertaining to the ownership of securities with the intention of
obtaining data, information, funds, or services offered.
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Article 5
Any person who commits any of the following cybercrimes shall be subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding four years and a fine not
exceeding 3,000,000 riyals, or either penalty:
• Unauthorized access with the intention of canceling, deleting, destroying, leaking, damaging, altering, or redistributing private data.
• Causing an information network to halt or breakdown, or destroying, deleting, leaking, damaging, or altering existing or used programs or
data.
• Obstructing access to, distorting, or causing the breakdown of services by any means.
Article 6
Any person who commits any of the following cybercrimes shall be subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years and a fine not
exceeding 3,000,000 riyals, or either penalty:
• The production, preparation, transmission, or storage of material impinging on public order, religious values, public morals, or privacy,
through an information network or computer.
• The construction or publication of a web site on an information network or computer to promote or facilitate human trafficking.
• The preparation, publication, or promotion of material for pornographic networks or gambling activities which violates public morals.
• The construction or publication of a web site on an information network or computer to trade, distribute, demonstrate methods of use, or
facilitate dealing in narcotic and psychotropic drugs.
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Article 7
Any person who commits any of the following cybercrimes shall be subject to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years and a fine
not exceeding 5,000,000 riyals, or either penalty:
1.. Establishing or publicizing a web site on an information network or computer for terrorist organizations to facilitate communication with
the leaders or members of such organizations, finance them, promote their ideologies, publicize methods of making incendiary devices
or explosives, or any other means used in terrorist activities.
2. Unauthorized access to a web site or information system directly, or through an information network or computer to obtain data that
threatens the internal or external security of the State or its national economy.
Article 8
The imprisonment and the fine may not be less than half the maximum if the crime is coupled with any of the following:
1.The crime is perpetrated through organized crime.
2.The offender holds a public office and the crime perpetrated is related to this office, or the offender perpetrates the crime using his power
or influence.
3.The luring and exploitation of minors and the like.
4.The offender has been previously convicted of similar crimes within or outside the Kingdom.
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Article 9
Any person who incites, assists, or collaborates with others to commit any of the crimes stipulated in this Law shall be subject to a
punishment not exceeding the maximum punishment prescribed for such crimes, if the crime is committed as a result of said incitement,
assistance, or collaboration, and he shall be subject to a punishment not exceeding half the maximum prescribed punishment if the
.intended crime is not committed.
Article 10
Any person who attempts to commit any of the crimes stipulated in this Law shall be subject to a punishment not exceeding half the
maximum punishment prescribed for said crimes.
Article 11
The competent court may exempt any offender from such punishments if he informs the competent authority of the crime prior to its
discovery and prior to the infliction of damage. If the culprit informs the competent authority after the occurrence of the crime, the exemption
from punishment shall be granted if the information he provides eventually leads to the arrest of other culprits (if any) or the seizure of the
means used in the commission of the crime.
Article 12
Application of this Law shall not prejudice the provisions of relevant laws, especially those pertaining to intellectual property rights, or
relevant international agreements to which the Kingdom is party.
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Article 13
Without prejudice to the rights of bona fide persons, equipment, software, and means used in perpetrating any of the
crimes stipulated in this Law or the proceeds generated therefrom may be confiscated. In addition, the web site or venue
where the service is provided may be shut down permanently or temporarily if it is the source for perpetrating the crime
and the crime is committed with the owner's knowledge.
Article 14
The Communications and Information Technology Commission, pursuant to its powers, shall provide assistance and
technical support to competent security agencies during the investigation of such crimes and during trial.
Article 15
The Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution shall carry out the investigation and prosecution of the crimes
stipulated in this Law.
Article 16
This Law shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force 120 days after the date of publication.
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