Saudi ministry launches app to report privacy violations

A smartphone app to help protect individual privacy has been launched by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior as it combats the use of mobile phones to spread damaging footage or images.

The ministry described the sending of malicious images via smartphones as “crossing a red line.”

The Kolonna Amn (“We are all security“) app allows users to make an official complaint if they believe their privacy has been violated.

Launching the app on March 13, the ministry repeated its warning that offenders could face penalties of up to one year’s imprisonment or a fine of SR500,000 ($133,000).

The Kolonna Amn app will make citizens part of an interactive security system, officials said.

Lawyer Dima Al-Shareef told Arab News: “The anti-cybercrime law defines the violation of the private life of the individual by misuse of mobile phones equipped with a camera or any other similar device.”