RIYADH: Individuals found guilty of producing computer videos in breach of the Kingdom’s privacy laws could face up to five years in prison or a maximum fine of SR3 million ($800,000), the Saudi Public Prosecution has revealed. Legal chiefs said the newly announced punishments under the country’s anti-cybercrime legislation would apply to any film material prepared, transmitted or saved onto computer networks ruled to be an invasion of a person’s private life.
And in a separate move to protect the Saudi public, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development has released new integrated regulations to shield staff from abuses in the workplace environment.
The latest sentencing guidelines on breach of privacy cover any computer film footage found to prejudice the public system, religious values or public morals.
Lawyer, Dimah Talal Al-Sharif, told Arab News: “With the proliferation of many videos recorded inside schools, we must note that filming such videos and violating the privacy of staff and students of the school is a legal violation.”
She said it was illegal to produce any content that would harm the private life of an individual, and added: “Furthermore, I believe that legal empowerment of women and children will greatly contribute to their protection and a legally conscious society as well.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development’s new rules to protect workers, especially women, from behavioral abuses have been designed to create safer working environments in private-sector enterprises.
HIGHLIGHT
The regulations covered all forms of exploitation, threats, harassment, extortion, seduction, quarreling, or cursing, and would apply to employers and employees involved in abuse cases committed both inside and outside of working hours.
The regulations aim to safeguard the privacy, dignity and personal freedom of individuals guaranteed under Islamic Shariah law.
The ministry said that the regulations covered all forms of exploitation, threats, harassment, extortion, seduction, quarreling, or cursing, and would apply to employers and employees involved in abuse cases committed both inside and outside of working hours.
These would include the workplace, areas where workers receive remuneration, take a break, eat, use sanitary or washing facilities, changing rooms, when traveling to and from work, during trips, travel, training, events or social activities related to work, and in work-related communications.
Employers must provide staff with a system for filing a complaint through the company’s website, via email or recorded calls, and complaints against the victim or witness statements have to be submitted within a maximum of five working days of the incident.
Under the rules, companies must also develop appropriate procedures to allow employees to leave their workplace if they believe there to be a threat to their health, to protect the rights of abused staff and witnesses, educate workers about the importance of confronting and reporting behavioral abuses, and making employees aware of procedures, rights, and duties relating to the regulations.
Involving workforces in the development and implementation of policies on behavioral protection and abuses in the working environment was also recommended, along with considering any psychological or social risks when developing safety systems and procedures.
