Article 3 of the Saudi Security Surveillance Cameras Law

This article links licensing to the obligation to install cameras. The competent government body that issues the activity license may not:

• license any of those subject to the Law to carry on an activity, or
• renew the license to carry on that activity,

until the requirements for installing the security surveillance camera system devices set out in the conditions document have been met.

In practice, this means the owner of a facility subject to the Law needs to meet the camera requirements before obtaining or renewing the license; it is not only a matter of later fines.

To understand who is covered by this provision, see Article 2, which lists the bodies subject to the Law, such as tourist accommodation facilities, commercial complexes, fuel stations, and health and educational facilities, among others. The details of the requirements themselves are in the conditions document that Article 1 defined as the document of security conditions and requirements for installing the surveillance system and the general technical specifications of the devices; the article does not state those details.

After it comes Article 4, which requires those subject to the Law to install the devices, maintain them and operate them around the clock, and to keep recordings for the period stated in the conditions document.

If you face a refusal of a license or renewal because of the camera requirements, you may consult a lawyer specialized in administrative matters.