Privacy, Recording & Surveillance

Four layers govern privacy, recording and surveillance in the Kingdom, with the PDPL as an overlay:

1. Basic Law of Governance: Art 37 (inviolability of dwellings) and Art 40 (inviolability of correspondence and communications, save as provided by law). 2. Law of Criminal Procedure: search, seizure and access to communications only under a reasoned order (the article cited, Art 57, is being verified; it may be Art 56). 3. Anti-Cyber Crime Law: Arts 3 and 6. 4. Public Decency Regulation (2019): a regulation (لائحة), not a law.

Recording. Saudi law contains no recognised one-party consent safe harbour. Covert recording or interception risks Anti-Cyber Crime Law Art 3 offences and PDPL breaches. Obtain the consent of all parties or rely on a specific legal basis.

The Sharia backdrop (*tajassus* (spying), *satr* (concealment), *amanah* (trust) and the sanctity of the home) informs interpretation.

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