Posting videos of security men on social media ‘a grave crime’

Security experts have warned against the filming of the movement of security men or sensitive places and posting it on social media, saying that it is a crime punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment and fine under the law.

Such films and pictures posted on social media can be used by terrorist organizations to harm the country and its citizens, said security expert Maj Gen Abdullah bin Hassan Jaddawi.

Mohammad bin Abdullah Al-Qarni, former security expert, said attempts to post rumors about military missions on social media or filming movements of security men are a threat to the nation’s security.

“Punishment for such actions varies between imprisonment and fine according to the nature of the violation. In serious cases, such as setting up terror websites, the punishment can be 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of SR5 million.”

Eisa Al-Ghaith, a member of the Shoura Council security committee, said making videos needs permission from relevant authority, and failing to obtain this is a crime punishable under law.

Yasin Khalid Khayat, chairman of the lawyers’ committee of the Jeddah chamber of commerce, said posting video clips on social media is a crime under the information technology clause.

Taking shots of personal property or other people’s picture without their consent is also a crime and treated as infringing on the privacy of someone, he added.

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