Mowthooq platform: Vital Saudi regulations for social media ads
https://arab.news/g5dhn
With the proliferation of social media platforms and online content, a growing number of influencers have been using their accounts to advertise unregulated and counterfeit products and services.
This has resulted in the Saudi government introducing a licensing process called Mowthooq (meaning trusted or certified) to hold users accountable.
In today’s article, we will discuss the most important terms and conditions of this license and its application.
All applicants must abide by the terms and conditions for advertising content on social media platforms issued by the General Commission for Audiovisual Media, or GCAM.
This includes certifying that the content is correct, with products and services registered and certified by the authorities in the Kingdom.
Applicants must undertake to provide any data, information or reports requested by the GCAM on the advertisements displayed. They must also agree to remove all content immediately, and without question, at the authority’s request.
Non-Saudi influencers can apply for the license but must undertake not to engage in any activity until their applications are approved by the GCAM. Advertisers outside the country must license those individuals inside the Kingdom whom they wish to display their products or services.
The regulations cover accounts on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook.
Penalties for violating these regulations include a warning, fine of up SR1 million ($266,000), and/or ban on all activity.
The Kingdom is clearly seeking to ensure that proper content is displayed on social media in the country and that legal oversight is in place.
• Dimah Talal Al-Sharif is a Saudi legal consultant, head of the health law department at the law firm of Majed Garoub and a member of the International Association of Lawyers. Twitter: @dimah_alsharif
