Non-Saudis banned from publishing advertisements on social media

Agencies | Riyadh

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Saudi General Commission for Audiovisual Media (GCAM) has 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 and the rules for dealing with expatriates.

The GCAM monitored the violations of several non-Saudi advertisers, including expatriates and visitors on social media platforms, The Saudi Gazette reported.

When their data was verified, it was found that they had committed legal violations as they did not obtain commercial registrations or legal licenses and they are not working under any commercial entity. In addition, they do not possess any foreign investment licenses.

The commission said that it would issue, in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, a circular addressed to commercial establishments directing them not to deal or advertise with non-Saudi advertisers, either residents and visitors or advertise to them or invite them to events for marketing products, services and goods.

It emphasized that the contract for advertising for commercial establishments is only for those who work under a commercial entity and have a license and legal documents authorizing them to practice commercial advertising on social media platforms.