Saudi Arabia: GCAM issues order on advertising standards for non-Saudi influencers

On 7 June 2022, the General Commission for Audiovisual Media of Saudi Arabia (GCAM) issued an order banning non-Saudi residents from posting advertised content on online platforms without an advertising license. This decision comes after the GCAM had analysed the advertising situation in the country and concluded that non-Saudi content creators were violating Saudi law by not registering and working under a commercial entity or working with a foreign investment license. The order also states that content creators posting advertisements will be banned from working with advertising agencies if they do not carry a license. The breach of the aforementioned conditions could be fined a sum of up to USD 1.5 million and a sentence of up to five years in prison.