A prominent legal consultant has warned that Twitter users who retweet abusive or offensive tweets will be liable to the same punishment as the original posters of such remarks.
Humoud Al-Khaldi said that penal action would be taken against offenders in compliance with Article 6 of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, which stipulates that anyone involved in the production, transmission or storage of material infringing on public order, religious values or privacy would be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison or a maximum fine of SR3 million or face both forms of punishment.
“Computer crime that takes place on Twitter, a leading social networking site that is used widely, poses a threat to the cohesion of the social fabric of society. Many have exploited Twitter to propagate false ideas and aberrant practices that many have fallen victim to, disregarding the moral and ethical values of our society, religion and traditions,” Al-Khaldi said.
“Hundreds of users posting anonymously or under fictitious names speak on issues which they are ignorant of, making judgmental remarks and instigating unrest,” said Al-Khaldi.
“This reinforces the importance of implementing strict laws to prevent such forms of cyber crime from taking place on Saudi and Gulf soil,” said Al-Khaldi.
He explained that one such initiative is the adoption and approval of a uniform code for ensuring cyber security in GCC countries.
“Social media is supposed to be a place for sharing stories, ideas and opinions. This kind of cyber crime will make users think twice before re-posting,” said Ahmed Abdulmajeed, a Twitter user.
Retweeters of offensive tweets face same punishment
