Social Media Crackdowns in Saudi Arabia
Over the past several years, Saudi authorities have intensified surveillance and control over online activity. Many social media users - including journalists, academics, clerics, and ordinary citizens - have faced detention or harsh sentences for online posts critical of the government.
Since around 2017, dozens of Twitter and X (formerly Twitter) users have been arrested. Posts questioning government policies, social reforms, or foreign policy moves have been labeled as threats to state security or national unity.
Charges Commonly Used: "Undermining state security", "Spreading false information", "Supporting terrorism or hostile parties", "Insulting the leadership".
Salma al-Shehab, a Saudi academic, was sentenced to 27 years in prison (later reduced) for retweeting dissident content.
Manahel al-Otaibi, a women’s rights activist, was detained for her social media posts advocating gender equality.
Several anonymous Twitter accounts believed to be critical of the royal family have been tracked and shut down.
Since around 2017, dozens of Twitter and X (formerly Twitter) users have been arrested. Posts questioning government policies, social reforms, or foreign policy moves have been labeled as threats to state security or national unity.
Charges Commonly Used: "Undermining state security", "Spreading false information", "Supporting terrorism or hostile parties", "Insulting the leadership".
Salma al-Shehab, a Saudi academic, was sentenced to 27 years in prison (later reduced) for retweeting dissident content.
Manahel al-Otaibi, a women’s rights activist, was detained for her social media posts advocating gender equality.
Several anonymous Twitter accounts believed to be critical of the royal family have been tracked and shut down.
Sources
Amnesty International
Saudi Arabia: Wave of arrests targets last vestiges of freedom of expression