No, filming police officers in Saudi Arabia is prohibited under the 2022 Cybercrime Law and the 2023 Personal Data Protection Law unless prior authorization is obtained from the Ministry of Interior. Unauthorized recordings may lead to legal penalties, including fines up to SAR 5 million or imprisonment, as per Article 6 of the Cybercrime Law. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) enforces strict compliance with privacy and security protocols, particularly in public safety contexts.
Key Regulations for Filming Police Officers in Saudi Arabia
- Prior Authorization Required: Filming police officers or their activities mandates explicit written consent from the Ministry of Interior, as outlined in the 2022 Cybercrime Law. Unauthorized recordings are deemed a breach of national security protocols.
- Restrictions on Public Disclosure: Even with consent, dissemination of recorded material is restricted to prevent misinformation or threats to public order, per the 2023 Personal Data Protection Law enforced by SDAIA.
- Penalties for Non-Compliance: Violations may result in fines up to SAR 5 million or imprisonment under Article 6 of the Cybercrime Law, with additional penalties for defamation or incitement under the Penal Code.