Saudi Arabia: Communications, Space and Technology Commission released software escrow guideline

On 26 November 2025, the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) released the software escrow guideline. The guideline explains the CST’s mandate under the Law of the Communications and Information Technology and outlines the purpose of software escrow in ensuring business continuity and increasing confidence in local software developers. It defines the key terms used in the guideline, including computer software or digital applications, software escrow account, software escrow agent, software escrow agreement, software developer, source code, and beneficiary. It sets out the scope of applicability for natural or legal persons in the software industry, describes the advantages of escrow services, and details how software escrow operates, including the tripartite agreement structure, deposit materials, verification processes, periodic updates, and release mechanisms. The guideline outlines the responsibilities of the software developer, the beneficiary, and the software escrow agent, including testing duties, storage standards, incident notification, confidentiality, and delivery conditions. It also provides examples of termination and delivery conditions, and describes mechanisms for preserving deposited programs through verification, documentation review, and testing activities.