Increasing Restrictions and Digital Crackdowns… Saudi Arabia Ranked “Not Free” in Internet Freedom 2025
Freedom House has classified Saudi Arabia as a “Not Free” country in its annual Freedom on the Net 2025 report, underscoring the persistence of severe restrictions on the digital space and the worsening of violations against internet users due to their opinions and peaceful online activities.
Saudi Arabia scored 25 out of 100 on the overall Internet Freedom Index—an assessment that reflects weak protection of digital rights, an expanding scope of government surveillance, and the continued use of judicial proceedings to punish online expression, with no meaningful improvement compared to previous years.
Tight Controls on Online Content
The report notes that Saudi authorities impose broad restrictions on online content, particularly material related to politics, human rights, and criticism of public policies or officials. These measures include blocking websites, monitoring social media platforms, and pressuring users to delete content or refrain from publishing it.
According to Freedom House, Saudi Arabia’s digital environment is characterized by both preemptive and retaliatory censorship. Suppression is not limited to blocking content; it also extends to pursuing individuals after they express their views online, creating a climate of fear and widespread self-censorship among users.
Serious Violations of Users’ Rights
The report highlights ongoing violations of internet users’ rights, pointing to continued arrests, prosecutions, and harsh sentences imposed on individuals for posts, tweets, or digital interactions deemed inconsistent with official narratives.
Freedom House explains that vaguely worded laws, including counterterrorism and cybercrime legislation, are routinely used to criminalize peaceful online expression. These practices result in lengthy prison sentences and, in some cases, travel bans or ongoing digital surveillance after release.
Digital Surveillance and Lack of Privacy
The report also warns that users in Saudi Arabia face high levels of digital surveillance, coupled with weak legal safeguards to protect privacy and personal data. This situation significantly limits individuals’ ability to communicate freely and securely, rendering online activity legally and security-wise risky.
Internet Access: Technically Available, Practically Restricted
Despite Saudi Arabia’s relatively advanced telecommunications infrastructure and widespread internet access, Freedom House emphasizes that technical availability does not equate to freedom of use. Laws and regulatory restrictions have turned the internet into a tightly controlled space that does not allow for genuine freedom of expression, organization, or open access to information.
