Amid Saudi Arabia’s ongoing cultural renaissance, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media announced the launch of the Mawthooq platform for social media users.

The license can be availed by visiting the commission's website where people can apply for a license, valid for three years, for 15,000 Saudi riyals ($4,000) provided they adhere to the government's content regulations and use an account registered with the commission. The license allows users to build a personalized user experience while also in compliance with the government’s regulations.

Commenting on the platform, Acting information minister Majid Al Qassabi said the move aims to "regulate the advertising and digital content sector" in the kingdom.

Earlier this year in June, the Commission issued a circular banning non-Saudis from publishing advertisements on social media. The commission noted that the practice of posting ads on social media by those who do not have a license for it is a violation of Saudi Arabia’s Labor Law, as well as the rules for dealing with expatriates. This directive was in line with the tasks entrusted to it as per the Kingdom’s Audiovisual Media Law to control violations with regard to advertising.

The current Saudi legislation counts filming people without their notice or consent, and defamation, of individuals and organizations as violations of the content laws. Following under the direction of the commission and e-commerce council, such acts are considered punishable by law.