Saudi Arabia has embraced technology and digital advancements, promoting itself as a hub for innovation, yet this progress often stands in stark contrast to its strict control over online discourse and dissent. Authorities often employ extensive surveillance, censorship, and punitive measures against those who express criticism or share information deemed unacceptable. This situation harms digital rights and freedom of expression while highlighting the Kingdom’s hypocrisy.
The UN Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which will take place in Riyadh from 15 to 19 December 2024, has presented the topic “Advancing human rights and inclusion in the digital age” as one of its thematic focuses, yet Saudi Arabia continues to prosecute people for their online expression.
Manahel al-Otaibi, a 29-year-old fitness instructor and women’s rights activist, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison because of her choice of clothing and her support for women’s rights on social media. The verdict against her took place only a few months after Saudi Arabia was confirmed as host of the IGF. Also the women’s rights defender Loujain al-Hathloul, who was detained and tortured still remains subjected to a travel ban despite its expiration in November 2023.
Moreover, the data protection laws permit the entities that control data to share personal data to state agencies based on vague security reasons which are not formally defined. This has given the government extensive powers to access personal data and monitor political dissidents online.
Saudi authorities managed to infiltrate X and significantly invested in automated ‘bots’ to spy on dissidents and target human rights defenders with sophisticated digital surveillance technology. The Kingdom has also purchased Pegasus spyware which allows it to secretly hack into a user’s phone and spy on their location and communications in real time.
Moreover, the IGF’s theme ‘Enhancing the digital contribution to peace, development, and sustainability’ has also been questioned. The NEOM project has not only raised concerns about its privacy violations due to the extensive surveillance infrastructure and its massive quantities of personal data that are collected, but it shows the contradictions in Saudi Arabia’s sustainability narrative. The project in fact relies on unproven technologies, highlighting the government’s attempt to shift the attention from the nation’s ongoing environmental exploitation.
Another example of Riyad’s hypocrisy is shown by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which seeks to diversify the economy and encourage modernization. However, this objective is overshadowed by widespread human rights violations, notably regarding the 2030 World Expo infrastructure. This latter has mainly relied on migrant workers who are frequently exposed to exploitative conditions such as miserable salaries, forced work, and insufficient safety precautions.
Therefore, the tension between Saudi Arabia’s digital ambitions and its authoritarian practices raises concerns about its commitment to human rights and sustainability. By hosting the IGF, Saudi Arabia attempts to whitewash the systematic violations of human rights and unsustainable practices.
ADHRB urges the Saudi authorities to release the citizens who have been arbitrarily detained solely for their online expression ahead of the UN Internet Governance Forum as it features the promotion of human and digital rights. Finally, the ADHRB calls on the international community to denounce the violations of the right to information and expression and warns the international community to not prioritise the economic and strategic interests over the commitment to human rights.
