As the Saudi Arabian government scales back welfare benefits, public discontent is intensifying online. Authorities have responded with a hard-line crackdown, including social media (SNS) account blocks, fines, and arrests, drawing criticism that freedom of expression is being infringed.
On the 29th (local time), the Financial Times (FT) reported that Saudi media regulators in December ordered the closure of SNS accounts and imposed fines on nine people for posting content that violated regulations. According to local media, the regulator has also summoned 40 more people on suspicion of posting "provocative content."
Authorities also imposed tough penalties the month before, in November, including arresting six people on charges of spreading information that incited public opinion. They are said to face up to five years in prison or fines of up to 3 million Saudi riyals (about 1.14 billion won) under the Anti-Cyber Crime Law.
At the center of the surging criticism is the government's overhaul of the social security system. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development recently overhauled the eligibility criteria for welfare benefits, causing citizens who had been beneficiaries to lose eligibility, which in turn has triggered an explosion of complaints online.
There is also analysis that a video posted in October by Yazid Alrajhi, a cousin of a sitting Minister and a financial tycoon, poured fuel on public dissatisfaction. Alrajhi drew ire after posting a video from a private jet saying, "We must not tolerate negative remarks about the ruler even in private settings," a view that this became a trigger for intensifying public anger at the privileged class.
Some say the authorities' penalties are excessively harsh and are muzzling the press. The Saudi human rights group Sanad criticized that "the regulatory agency is abusing administrative powers as a tool of censorship to suppress critical voices." In particular, the fact that a large-scale crackdown occurred immediately after dissatisfaction with the policy overhaul spread suggests a strong intent to suppress opinions against the government.
In fact, the regulator has not specified what remarks or content directly triggered the crackdown. Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari said, "Attempts to exploit freedom of expression to create disorder in the media and online space will never be tolerated," adding that the latest measures are not a crackdown on the press.
Some critics say this reveals the duality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's reform path pursued for nearly a decade. While the Saudi government has gradually eased regulations in popular culture such as performances, film, and sports and recently released some political prisoners in an effort to foster a more open social atmosphere, it is pointed out that there is still little social tolerance for open criticism of the power structure.
Andrew Leber, a professor at Tulane University, said, "In the past, complaints about the cost of living and unemployment were largely socially tolerated," but added, "Recently, Saudi authorities appear to be trying to more clearly define where the red lines are."