Law on the Use of Security Surveillance Cameras

Purpose and scope

• Requires specified bodies to install security cameras, including ministries and agencies, oil, petrochemical, power and desalination facilities, tourist accommodation, shopping centres, financial institutions and exchange offices, residential buildings as set in the conditions document, mosques, and sports and entertainment venues (Article 2).

Key rules, rights and obligations

• An activity of those covered may not be licensed or renewed until the camera requirements are met (Article 3).
• Cameras must be installed, maintained and run around the clock, and recordings kept for the period in the conditions document, unaltered where an incident has been reported (Article 4).
• Making, importing, selling, installing or maintaining the cameras requires the ministry's approval (Article 5).
• Cameras are banned in medical examination, inpatient, physiotherapy and changing rooms, toilets, women's salons and clubs, guest units in tourist accommodation, operating rooms and private places (Article 6).

Violations, penalties and common problems

• Fines: 500 riyals per camera not meeting specifications, 1,000 riyals per camera not installed as required, 5,000 riyals for not keeping recordings, 10,000 riyals for each installation in a banned place, and 20,000 riyals for unlawfully moving or publishing recordings or damaging equipment or recordings (Article 12).
• Anyone who helps reveal a violation may receive a reward of up to 10% of the fine collected (Article 15).

Procedures and key deadlines

• A committee in each region hears violations and decides penalties (Article 11), and a penalty decision may be challenged before the administrative court within sixty days of notification (Article 13).

An advisory summary prepared by Al-Bayan Al-Wadih Law Firm. It is not an official text and does not replace the law, its implementing regulations, or advice from a specialised lawyer. The official published text and its amendments prevail.