Saudi Arabia has introduced strict measures against the unauthorized publication of weather-related information, with fines exceeding 150,000 Saudi riyals issued to individuals found guilty of violating regulations.
According to the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), the penalties were handed out under Article 9 of the executive regulations governing meteorological activities. The regulation prohibits the release of any weather forecasts, warnings, or related information without prior approval from the NCM.
Weather Information Requires Authorization
Officials emphasized that these measures are aimed at protecting public safety and ensuring the accuracy of meteorological data. Unauthorized weather updates circulating online have raised concerns about misinformation, particularly during emergencies such as sandstorms, heavy rainfall, or flooding.
While several violators faced financial penalties, not all were fined. Some individuals were required to submit written pledges promising not to publish unlicensed weather content in the future.
The NCM has repeatedly warned the public to rely only on official sources for weather information, stressing that inaccurate reports can lead to unnecessary panic or misinformed decision-making.
Nationwide Security Crackdown
In a separate but parallel development, Saudi authorities conducted a major security campaign across the Kingdom, detaining 22,147 individuals between July 24 and July 30 for various violations.
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Residence Rules: 13,835 people were arrested for residency-related violations.
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Border Security: 4,772 individuals were caught breaching border regulations.
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Labor Laws: 3,540 violators were apprehended for breaking employment laws.
Authorities also stopped 34 individuals attempting to illegally exit the Kingdom and 1,816 people trying to enter without proper documentation. Among those intercepted, 62% were Ethiopian nationals, while 36% were Yemeni nationals.
Stronger Enforcement of Regulations
The twin measures, fines for unlicensed weather reporting and a sweeping crackdown on law violations, demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to tightening compliance with its regulations. Officials noted that both initiatives aim to maintain national security, safeguard residents, and ensure orderly governance.
The crackdown also reflects the Kingdom’s growing emphasis on controlling digital information flows and strengthening oversight of public communication. With weather updates playing a critical role in disaster preparedness, the authorities are determined to ensure that only verified and official data reaches the public.
As part of its awareness campaign, the NCM urged citizens and residents to follow official meteorological channels for reliable updates while warning against sharing unverified information.
