request from “government security bodies.” The
Web site also has forms by which Internet users
can request that certain sites be blocked or
unblocked. It has been noted by a KACST official
that the majority of blocked Web sites contain
pornographic content, and over 90 percent of
Internet users have tried to access a blocked
Web site. 20
In 2001 the Council of Ministers issued a
resolution outlining content that Internet users are
prohibited from accessing and publishing. 21
Among other things, it forbids content “breaching
public decency,” material “infringing the sanctity
of Islam,” and “anything contrary to the state or
its system.” 22 The resolution also includes
approval requirements for publishing on the
Internet and mechanical guidelines for service
providers on recording and monitoring users’
activities. 23
A new law, approved by the Saudi Shoura
(Advisory) Council in October 2006, criminalizes
the use of the Internet to defame or harm individuals and the development of Web sites that violate Saudi laws or Islamic values, or that serve
terrorist organizations. 24
ONI testing results
Testing was conducted on two ISPs: National
Engineering Services & Marketing (Nesma) and
Arabian Internet and Communications Services
(Awalnet). Both providers blocked the same Web
sites, as expected given the centrally administered filtering system.
Testing indicates that the Web sites of Saudi
political reformist and opposition groups, such
as the Islah movement (www.islah.tv) and the
Tajdeed movement (www.tajdeed.net), are targeted for blocking. In keeping with the Saudi government’s emphasis on protecting the “sanctity
of Islam” 25 —and the legitimacy of the regime—
sites relating to minority faiths or espousing alternative views of Islam are blocked. These include
the Web sites of a number of local Shiite groups.
The Web pages of a few global free speech
advocates, such as Article19 (www.article19.org)
and the Free Speech Coalition (www.freespeech
coalition.com), are blocked. However, filtering of
human rights content primarily targets Saudi or
regional organizations. All Web pages of the
Saudi Human Rights Center (www.saudihr.org)
are blocked. Although the main pages of the
Arab Human Rights Information Network and
the Arabic rights organization Humum are
accessible, the Saudi sections of the two
sites, www.hrinfo.net/ifex/alerts/saudi and www
.humum.net/country/saudi.shtml, are not.
Most global media sites tested, including
Israel-based news outlets such as the daily
Haaretz (www.haaretz.com), were accessible.
However, the Arab-language news sites Al-Quds
Al Arabi (www.alquds.co.uk) and Elaph (www
.elaph.com) were blocked.
“Immoral” social content continues to be a
priority target for Saudi censors. Over 90 percent
of pornographic Web sites and most sites featuring provocative attire or gambling that were tested were blocked. Numerous sites relating to
alcohol and drugs, gays and lesbians, and sexeducation and family planning were also inaccessible. This pervasive filtering of social content
is achieved through the use of SmartFilter software, which builds “blacklists” of sites from userselected categories, such as Drugs, Gambling,
Obscene, Nudity, Sex, and Dating. The substantial filtering of Internet tools, including anonymizers and translators, in Saudi Arabia is also
achieved in this manner.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia maintains a sophisticated filtering
regime. Social content and Web-based applications are extensively filtered using commercial
software. Additional political and religious sites
are individually targeted for blocking. The result
of this filtering system is consistent with the Saudi
government’s express commitment to censoring
morally inappropriate and religiously sensitive
362
Country Summaries
Web site also has forms by which Internet users
can request that certain sites be blocked or
unblocked. It has been noted by a KACST official
that the majority of blocked Web sites contain
pornographic content, and over 90 percent of
Internet users have tried to access a blocked
Web site. 20
In 2001 the Council of Ministers issued a
resolution outlining content that Internet users are
prohibited from accessing and publishing. 21
Among other things, it forbids content “breaching
public decency,” material “infringing the sanctity
of Islam,” and “anything contrary to the state or
its system.” 22 The resolution also includes
approval requirements for publishing on the
Internet and mechanical guidelines for service
providers on recording and monitoring users’
activities. 23
A new law, approved by the Saudi Shoura
(Advisory) Council in October 2006, criminalizes
the use of the Internet to defame or harm individuals and the development of Web sites that violate Saudi laws or Islamic values, or that serve
terrorist organizations. 24
ONI testing results
Testing was conducted on two ISPs: National
Engineering Services & Marketing (Nesma) and
Arabian Internet and Communications Services
(Awalnet). Both providers blocked the same Web
sites, as expected given the centrally administered filtering system.
Testing indicates that the Web sites of Saudi
political reformist and opposition groups, such
as the Islah movement (www.islah.tv) and the
Tajdeed movement (www.tajdeed.net), are targeted for blocking. In keeping with the Saudi government’s emphasis on protecting the “sanctity
of Islam” 25 —and the legitimacy of the regime—
sites relating to minority faiths or espousing alternative views of Islam are blocked. These include
the Web sites of a number of local Shiite groups.
The Web pages of a few global free speech
advocates, such as Article19 (www.article19.org)
and the Free Speech Coalition (www.freespeech
coalition.com), are blocked. However, filtering of
human rights content primarily targets Saudi or
regional organizations. All Web pages of the
Saudi Human Rights Center (www.saudihr.org)
are blocked. Although the main pages of the
Arab Human Rights Information Network and
the Arabic rights organization Humum are
accessible, the Saudi sections of the two
sites, www.hrinfo.net/ifex/alerts/saudi and www
.humum.net/country/saudi.shtml, are not.
Most global media sites tested, including
Israel-based news outlets such as the daily
Haaretz (www.haaretz.com), were accessible.
However, the Arab-language news sites Al-Quds
Al Arabi (www.alquds.co.uk) and Elaph (www
.elaph.com) were blocked.
“Immoral” social content continues to be a
priority target for Saudi censors. Over 90 percent
of pornographic Web sites and most sites featuring provocative attire or gambling that were tested were blocked. Numerous sites relating to
alcohol and drugs, gays and lesbians, and sexeducation and family planning were also inaccessible. This pervasive filtering of social content
is achieved through the use of SmartFilter software, which builds “blacklists” of sites from userselected categories, such as Drugs, Gambling,
Obscene, Nudity, Sex, and Dating. The substantial filtering of Internet tools, including anonymizers and translators, in Saudi Arabia is also
achieved in this manner.
Conclusion
Saudi Arabia maintains a sophisticated filtering
regime. Social content and Web-based applications are extensively filtered using commercial
software. Additional political and religious sites
are individually targeted for blocking. The result
of this filtering system is consistent with the Saudi
government’s express commitment to censoring
morally inappropriate and religiously sensitive
362
Country Summaries