The Saudi opposition website “Saudi Leaks” revealed new restrictions imposed by the Saudi authorities on social influencers and activists, in a new attempt to restrict freedom of expression on the Internet.
The site said that now it is imperative that an influencer or social activist, who makes financial gains through advertisements, must submit an application to obtain an official license from the General Authority for Audiovisual Media in the Kingdom.
The site said that although the new measures are part of a new program dubbed “Reliable”, which aims to regulate the commercial activity of influencers, there may be other hidden goals behind it, such as controlling freedom of expression online.
Activists on social media platforms expressed their concern that the new restrictions would be an excuse for the Saudi authorities to restrict freedom of opinion and expression.
