“Is using a VPN legal in Saudi Arabia?” is one of the most common questions from residents and visitors. The short answer: Saudi law does not ban VPNs as such, but it punishes what you do with one if that is illegal. This guide sets out what the law says, with links to the official text. It is general information, not legal advice.
Saudi Arabia’s internet environment
The Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST), called the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) until 2022, filters websites in cooperation with a permanent internet security committee and gives the blocking lists to internet providers. Blocked pages invite you to ask for a review, and the CST accepts requests to unblock a site that was blocked by mistake.
The legality of VPNs in Saudi Arabia
The main law is the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, issued by Royal Decree No. M/17 on 8/3/1428H (26 March 2007). We read the official English translation in full: it does not mention VPNs, proxies or getting around blocks, and we found no official Saudi source that bans VPNs themselves. Companies and residents use VPNs every day for remote work, banking security and public Wi-Fi.
When does VPN use become problematic?
The law punishes acts, whatever tool is used. A VPN does not make any of these legal:
| Article | What it covers | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Article 3 | Intercepting data, unlawful access to blackmail, hacking a website, invading privacy with camera phones, defamation | 1 year and/or SAR 500,000 |
| Article 4 | Fraud, unlawful access to bank or credit data | 3 years and/or SAR 2 million |
| Article 5 | Damaging data or systems, disrupting services | 4 years and/or SAR 3 million |
| Article 6 | Producing, sending or storing material that harms public order, religious values, public morals or privacy; sites for human trafficking, pornography, gambling or drugs | 5 years and/or SAR 3 million |
| Article 7 | Terrorist websites; access to data that endangers state security | 10 years and/or SAR 5 million |
Risks associated with VPN misuse
Article 9 extends the penalties to anyone who incites or helps a crime, and Article 13 allows the equipment and software used to be confiscated. In other words, using a VPN to reach material the law prohibits, or to commit one of the crimes above, is treated like doing it without one.
What about internet calls?
From 21 September 2017 the regulator lifted the ban on internet voice and video calls for apps that meet its rules; FaceTime, Skype, Telegram and others were named, but WhatsApp calling was not. Users reported WhatsApp calls working from February 2025, but we found no official statement confirming it.
Choosing the right VPN service
If you use a VPN in Saudi Arabia, pick a provider with an independent no-logs audit and obfuscation for restrictive networks. Our comparison of VPNs for Saudi Arabia lists who has what.
Staying informed
Rules can change, and the regulator publishes its own updates. For a specific case, ask a lawyer licensed in Saudi Arabia, or contact the CST on 19966.
Sources
Checked on 29 October 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us and we will check it again.
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