Article 25 of the Saudi Communications and Information Technology Law

This article explains how the Authority discovers violations and deals with them before they are decided.

1- Inspectors and their powers: The Board issues a decision naming inspectors from the Authority, who act jointly or individually and who may:

• investigate, search, gather evidence and record violations of the law, the Implementing Regulations and regulatory decisions;
• inspect the sites of licensees or of those suspected of violations during working hours, without prejudice to the relevant legal provisions;
• view documents, systems and databases and take copies of them; and
• seek the help of the competent security authorities when needed.

2- Investigation and prosecution: The Authority investigates violators and prosecutes them, and may suspend the service that is the subject of the violation as a precaution; the Implementing Regulations specify the provisions on this.

3- Seized items: The Authority holds them until the violation is decided before the Committee. If a final decision establishing the violation is issued, the Authority disposes of them in accordance with the Implementing Regulations, without prejudice to the violator's right to claim compensation for harm.

4- Duties of those inspected: Officials and employees must allow the inspectors to carry out their work, must not obstruct them, and must provide the facilities, information and documents requested.

5- Safeguard: Inspectors must show their official cards when starting their duties.

Article 26 treats obstructing an inspector's work as a violation. Anyone subject to inspection or a precautionary suspension should consult a lawyer specializing in communications and information technology law or in administrative cases.