Saudi Gazette report RIYADH – With Saudis taking to social networking sites such as Twitter in record numbers, the existence of security supervision has become necessary in order to punish violators of the cyber laws, said a member of the Shoura Council. Former judge Isa Al-Ghaith said while social networking sites are a means of communication, they have their advantages and disadvantages. He stressed the importance of setting up a website, which is linked to the Ministry of Interior that will receive reports from the general public on online exchanges that harm others, Al-Eqtisadiah business daily reported. “With the increasing use of modern means of communication and social networking, some people make personal insults and false accusations against others and spread lies about them through the Internet and online forums. Hence, there is need for the police to allocate a website that will receive reports and complaints from victims.” Al-Ghaith said the proposed website will give any person a chance to report online violations by simply filling out a form requiring information on the accused as well as a time frame to file an official complaint at a local police station. He said the proposed website does not mean freedom of opinion and expression will be restricted but will only crackdown on the spreading of rumors and false accusations. Al-Ghaith said Article 3 of the cyber crime regulation stipulates that cyber crimes are punishable by jail for a period not exceeding one year, a fine not exceeding SR500,000 or both. Anyone who threatens or blackmails another or affects his private life through the misuse of camera phones or similar devices or defames others and harms them through different means of information technology will be held accountable in accordance with the regulation. Al-Ghaith's comments come at a time when the Ministry of Interior confirmed that police stations and criminal investigation departments have taken preliminary measures in online defamation cases. Anyone found guilty of spreading rumors or defaming others is investigated and punished according to the penal law and regulations to protect private and public rights. Spokesman for Al-Qassim police Col. Fahd Al-Habdan said spreading rumors about others is considered to be a crime that police stations have to deal with provided a case is filed. He said several verdicts have been issued leading to imprisonment and lashes for those found guilty of committing such violations.
