“Married individuals planning to spy on their spouse in Saudi Arabia will need to think twice, because such an activity could potentially attract a fine of 500,000 riyals ($133,000, €108,000), along with a prison term for a year,” read an English-language statement released by Saudi Arabia’s information ministry

The decision to impose the new law comes amid a “steady increase in cybercrimes such as blackmail, embezzlement and defamation,” the statement said. In December, the Saudi government said it would open the country to commercial movie theaters for the first time in more than 35 years as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's efforts to transform the ultraconservative Saudi society. Bin Salman recently lifted the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia and has made key changes to the role of women in Saudi society.
Saudi Arabia lifts a ban on imports of frozen guava from Egypt.