Cyberstalking and Online Harassment in Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia
Sourced from Saudi royal decrees, regulations, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Cyberstalking and online harassment in Saudi Arabia are criminal under two layered statutes. The Anti-Cyber Crime Law 2007 (Royal Decree M/17) covers: Article 3 defamation and harm via IT devices (up to 1 year / SAR 500,000); Article 4 unauthorised access + blackmail / coercion (up to 5 years / SAR 3,000,000); Article 6 offences against public morality, privacy, or family values via electronic means. The Anti-Harassment Law 2018 (Royal Decree M/96) Article 1 defines harassment as any saying, act, or sign of sexual significance — explicitly including 'modern technology' — directed at a person. Together they cover repeated unwanted contact, image-based abuse, sexual harassment online, doxxing, and impersonation.
Investigation runs through the Public Security Department + Public Prosecution (Niyaba). File the complaint online via Absher (Cybercrime Report service), my.gov.sa, or the Kolonna Amn app. For content takedown, CST (Communications, Space and Technology Commission, formerly CITC) has operational power over Saudi telecom operators and platforms accessible from KSA.
When does it apply?
- Repeated unwanted messages, calls, or contact attempts through any digital channel (WhatsApp, SMS, Snapchat, Instagram, X, dating apps).
- Posts sharing your photograph without consent, editing your image, or impersonating your identity.
- Threats to publish or distribute content — sextortion overlaps with the NCII page in this category.
- Doxxing — public disclosure of home address, workplace, family identity, Iqama number, or phone number to incite harassment.
- Account takeover or impersonation accounts opened in your name on social media.
- Sexual harassment with online elements — Anti-Harassment Law 2018 Article 1 explicitly attaches.
Filing a Cyberstalking Complaint in Saudi Arabia
- Block, mute, document. Block the account on the platform first; take screenshots that include the username, URL, and timestamps. Save to cloud immediately.
- File the criminal complaint via Absher Cybercrime Report, my.gov.sa, or Kolonna Amn app. Cite Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3 / 4 / 6 as appropriate, plus the Anti-Harassment Law 2018 if there is a sexual-harassment dimension. Attach the evidence file with URLs and timestamps.
- For content takedown, parallel a request to CST. CST has operational power over Saudi telecom operators and the platforms accessible from KSA. Cybercrime complaints often trigger CST action via Public Prosecution.
- For physical-safety risk, call 911 (unified national emergency since 2018). Saudi Penal Code provisions on threats and intimidation run alongside the Anti-Cyber Crime Law.
- For sexual-harassment dimensions, parallel to Public Prosecution under the Anti-Harassment Law 2018. Article 1 explicitly includes online channels.
- Keep a one-page timeline. Cybercrime complaint reference, CST reference, screenshots / evidence index. Any prosecution turns on this file.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't engage the stalker. Replying creates a record the stalker can use to argue consent or invitation. Block, document, file.
- Don't post the screenshots publicly on Saudi social media before the complaint is filed. Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3 (defamation) and 6 (privacy / morality) can attach to public commentary that names individuals.
- Don't ignore the CST / platform takedown route. Public Prosecution can take time. CST + platform takedown is the fastest way to stop the harm.
- Don't pay 'reputation managers' demanding upfront fees. All meaningful KSA channels (Public Security, CST, SDAIA, courts) are free.
Common Questions
What's the difference between Article 3, 4, and 6 of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law?
Article 3 — defamation and infliction of damage via IT devices (up to 1 year / SAR 500,000). Article 4 — unauthorised access to systems / data + blackmail / coercion (up to 5 years / SAR 3,000,000) — the most severe penalty range. Article 6 — production, dissemination, or sending of materials that prejudice public order / religious values / public morality / privacy via electronic means.
Does the Anti-Harassment Law cover online-only harassment?
Yes. Article 1 of the Anti-Harassment Law 2018 defines harassment as any saying, act, or sign of sexual significance directed at a person — including by any means, including modern technology. The law explicitly bridges offline and online sexual harassment, complementing the Anti-Cyber Crime Law's broader cyber-offence framework.
Can I file with CST without going to Public Security first?
You can — CST's complaint channel accepts telecom-related and content-related complaints independently. But for criminal investigation of the offender (not just content takedown), the Public Security + Public Prosecution route via Absher / Kolonna Amn is essential. Run both in parallel for the fastest combination of stopping the harm + prosecuting it.
Is there a hotline for women facing online harassment?
The Kolonna Amn app explicitly added harassment reporting alongside cybercrime and human trafficking in 2020. The HRSD 19911 hotline (multilingual: Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, Bengali) handles labour-related harassment. The unified national emergency number is 911. For workplace sexual harassment, HRSD is the appropriate channel; for general online harassment, Public Security + Public Prosecution via Absher / Kolonna Amn / my.gov.sa.
When does it apply — cyberstalking and online harassment in saudi arabia?
Repeated unwanted messages, calls, or contact attempts through any digital channel (WhatsApp, SMS, Snapchat, Instagram, X, dating apps).Posts sharing your photograph without consent, editing your image, or impersonating your identity.Threats to publish or distribute content — sextortion overlaps with the NCII page in this category.Doxxing — public disclosure of home address, workplace, family identity, Iqama number, or phone number to incite harassment.Account takeover or impersonation accounts opened in your name on social media.Sexual harassment with online elements — Anti-Harassment Law 201...
How do I report online harassment in Saudi Arabia?
Block, mute, document. Block the account on the platform first; take screenshots that include the username, URL, and timestamps. Save to cloud immediately.File the criminal complaint via Absher Cybercrime Report, my.gov.sa, or Kolonna Amn app. Cite Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3 / 4 / 6 as appropriate, plus the Anti-Harassment Law 2018 if there is a sexual-harassment dimension. Attach the evidence file with URLs and timestamps.For content takedown, parallel a request to CST. CST has operational power over Saudi telecom operators and the platforms accessible from KSA. Cybercrime complaints oft...
What should you NOT do — cyberstalking and online harassment in saudi arabia?
Don't engage the stalker. Replying creates a record the stalker can use to argue consent or invitation. Block, document, file.Don't post the screenshots publicly on Saudi social media before the complaint is filed. Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3 (defamation) and 6 (privacy / morality) can attach to public commentary that names individuals.Don't ignore the CST / platform takedown route. Public Prosecution can take time. CST + platform takedown is the fastest way to stop the harm.Don't pay 'reputation managers' demanding upfront fees. All meaningful KSA channels (Public Security, CST, SDAIA, co...