Article 25 of the Saudi Electronic Transactions Law
المادة 25 من نظام التعاملات الإلكترونية · الفصل التاسع: المخالفات والعقوبات
The Authority, in coordination with the relevant bodies, detects and inspects the Article 23 violations and records them in a report; it may seize the devices, systems and programs used pending determination, and the Governor designates the competent employees.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تتولى الهيئة بالاستعانة والتنسيق مع الجهات المعنية مهمة الضبط والتفتيش على ما يقع من المخالفات المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثالثة والعشرين) من هذا النظام، وتعد محضرا بذلك، وللهيئة الحق في حجز الأجهزة والمنظومات والبرامج المستخدمة في ارتكاب المخالفة إلى حين البت فيها، ويحدد المحافظ بقرار منه أسماء الموظفين المختصين بهذه المهمة وكيفية إجراء الضبط والتفتيش.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 25 explained in plain English
This article complements Articles 23 (violations) and 24 (penalties) by setting out who detects violations and how:
- The competent body: the Authority (the Communications and Information Technology Authority), with the assistance and coordination of the relevant bodies.
- Scope of the task: detecting and inspecting the violations set out in Article 23, including practicing certification without a license, electronic forgery, accessing another's signature system without authorization, and impersonation.
- The report: the Authority draws up a report of the violations that occur.
- Seizure: the Authority may seize the devices, systems and programs used in committing the violation pending its determination. Seizure is a temporary measure tied to deciding the violation, and is different from the confiscation that may be ordered under Article 24.
- The competent employees: the Governor (the Authority's Governor) designates by decision the names of the employees competent for this task, and how detection and inspection are carried out. The article does not state the details of how.
Article 26 then provides for referring the detection report to the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution to conduct the investigation and prosecution before the competent judicial body.
Anyone subject to a seizure or an impounding of devices under this Law would do well to consult a lawyer specializing in cybercrime.
Practical example
The Authority received a report about an establishment in Jeddah issuing digital certification certificates without a license. The employees designated by the Governor's decision detect and inspect the violation in coordination with the relevant bodies and draw up a report of it, and the Authority may seize the devices and programs used pending determination of the violation.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 25 of the Saudi Electronic Transactions Law
Who detects violations of the Electronic Transactions Law?
The Authority, with the assistance and coordination of the relevant bodies, handles the detection and inspection of the violations set out in Article 23.
Can the devices used in the violation be seized?
Yes. The Authority may seize the devices, systems and programs used in committing the violation pending its determination.
Who designates the employees competent for detection and inspection?
The Authority's Governor designates by decision the names of the competent employees and how detection and inspection are carried out.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Electronic Forgery and Its Penalty
- Article 23
The article lists ten acts that violate the Law, including practicing certification without a license, disclosing information, electronic forgery, accessing another's signature system, and impersonation.
يعد مخالفة لأحكام هذا النظام؛ القيام بأي من الأعمال الآتية: 1 - ممارسة نشاط مقدم خدمات التصديق دون الحصول على ترخيص من الهيئة. 2 - استغلال مقدم خدمات التصديق ال
- Article 24Amended by M/57
The article punishes anyone committing a violation in Article 23 with a fine of up to SAR 5,000,000 or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both, with possible confiscation of devices and publication of a summary of the judgment.
مع عدم الإخلال بأي عقوبة أشد ينص عليها نظام آخر، يعاقب كل من يرتكب أياً من الأعمال المنصوص عليها في المادة (الثالثة والعشرين) من هذا النظام بغرامة لا تزيد على (
- Article 26
The report detecting the violations in Article 25 is referred to the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution to conduct the investigation and prosecution in accordance with its law before the competent judicial body.
يحال محضر ضبط المخالفات المنصوص عليه في المادة (الخامسة والعشرين) من هذا النظام - بعد مباشرة الهيئة لمهماتها - إلى هيئة التحقيق والادعاء العام لتتولى التحقيق وا
- Article 27
Anyone harmed by violations of the Law, or by failure to comply with its controls and obligations, retains the right to bring a case before the competent judicial body to claim compensation.
يحتفظ الشخص الذي لحقه ضرر - ناتج من المخالفات المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام أو عدم التقيد بأي من الضوابط والالتزامات الواردة فيه - بحقه في رفع دعوى أمام الجهة الق
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.