Saudi Arabia mandates five-year prison terms for electronic signature misuse

Saudi Arabia’s Public Prosecution has issued a stern warning regarding the misuse of electronic transactions and digital signatures, outlining penalties that include up to five years in prison. The regulatory crackdown targets individuals and entities attempting to compromise the integrity of the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure. Penalties and Financial Fines Under the Electronic Transactions Law, violators face a combination of imprisonment and substantial financial penalties. The Public Prosecution confirmed that illegal activities related to electronic signatures can result in a jail term of five years and a fine of up to SR5 million. In addition to these measures, the law mandates the confiscation of all devices, systems, and programs used in the commission of the crime. The authorities specified several actions that trigger these penalties. These include accessing, copying, or reconfiguring the electronic signature system of a provider or recipient without legal authorization. Tampering with electronic records, signatures, or digital certificates through falsification or theft is also strictly prohibited. Scope of the Electronic Transactions Law The legal framework aims to…