Spying on your spouse’s phone in Saudi Arabia now comes with a N47m fine

Spying on your spouse’s phone is now a criminal offence in Saudi Arabia, potentially punishable by a year in jail and a hefty fine of 500,000 riyals (£94,910.04, N47m). This was announced on Monday by Saudi Arabia’s information ministry.

‘Married individuals planning to spy on their spouse in Saudi Arabia will need to think twice, because such an activity could potentially attract a fine of 500,000 riyals (£94,910.04), along with a prison term for a year.

The provision, part of a new anti-cyber crime law which came into force last week, is meant to ‘protect morals of individuals and society and protect privacy’.

The move comes amid a ‘steady increase in cybercrimes such as blackmail, embezzlement and defamation’ the ministry announced.

Saudi Arabia has launched a string of highly-publicised policy changes, since the rise of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to power last year. Daily Mail gathered that the ultra-conservative kingdom, is among the world’s top per capita users of cellphone apps and social media. More than half of Saudi Arabia’s citizens are under 25, many of whom spend much of their time on mobile platforms, away from official strictures and traditions.

The country will allow women to drive as of June and has lifted a decades-long ban on cinemas. Saudi Arabia’s legislation on cybercrime, has drawn harsh criticism from international rights groups in the past.

Dozens of Saudi citizens have been convicted on charges linked to dissent under a previous sweeping law, particularly linked to posts on Twitter. Last September, authorities issued a public call for citizens to report on the social media activities of their fellow citizens, under a broad definition of ‘terrorist’ crimes.

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Saudi Arabia has also moved to bring changes to its visa regulations, in a bid to double the number of tourists over the next decade and make the kingdom tourism-friendly.