Elementary student clip exposes malicious people!

A fake video posted by an elementary school child has sparked one of the largest rumour-mongering operations. Dozens of social media users and blacklisted accounts have taken to exploiting the child's rumor to tarnish the image of education and security.

The child's false rumors and allegations have been transformed, by some social media platforms, into organized propaganda operations led by black accounts run by hostile entities and trained groups operating with a specific agenda and diverse geographic and political objectives. These groups seek to promote a specific point of view, using various internet platforms to spread rumors and lies, create confusion, and spread hatred.

The boy falsely claimed he was assaulted at school, implicating teachers. Moments later, malicious tweeters took to the video to attack the teachers and the ministry, accusing them of being lenient and not serious about dealing with those who misbehave. Some even went so far as to post photos of the teachers, accusing them of making false allegations.

The wave of rumour-mongering, spearheaded by blackmail accounts, did not last long after the relevant security authorities declared the child's claims to be false. Those who spread the lie are now responsible for what they wrote and said.

According to the statement, "Further to what was announced about the child's claim in the video content that he was subjected to assault, it was proven that this is not true, and the necessary legal measures were taken in this regard."

The region's police, in coordination with the Public Prosecution, the Ministry of Education and the

Misinformation and bad rumors

Security expert, retired Major General Masoud Al-Adwani, believes that rumour-mongering is more severe than rumors, because rumors are common in conveying all news, good and bad, while rumour-mongering is specific to conveying bad news and media misinformation. This was clearly evident in the campaign led by anonymous accounts and hostile parties that attempted to exploit the child's allegations, and were quick to spread false information, fabricated lies and malicious rumours, which is their deliberate aim. Rumours are one of the reasons for weakening the strength, capabilities and capacities of countries whenever they find someone who allows them to pass or enhances their influence in society by spreading fear and terror. However, society's awareness of such attempts and the speed with which facts are announced thwarts such attempts. I confirm that the loyal, honorable citizen and the aware resident are fully aware that security is an indivisible whole in its comprehensive and integrated concept according to its old and modern dimensions, by not spreading rumours, waiting for the facts to be revealed and rushing to inform the competent authorities of all doubts and suspicions to preserve their security and that of society.

Major General Al-Adwani explained that the crime of spreading false news is considered one of the most dangerous crimes threatening the security of countries and the survival of their entities, pointing out the seriousness and repercussions of this crime on all levels of national security. Meanwhile, society has become aware of these operations, and history bears witness to how Saudis on social media played a major role in raising awareness, creating a new awareness among them, and raising their sense of national pride. This is something that the enemies did not expect in their attempts, which were quickly shattered on the rocks of the internal front. It is necessary to continue raising awareness among the youth and society about the enemies who are lying in wait for them.

Al-Adwani explained that citizens and residents are obligated to report fake news by submitting it to the relevant authorities. Communication methods are available online, via mobile, on their official platforms, and through their well-known centers, which welcome everyone with open arms.

Al-Adwani pointed out that society is witnessing an unprecedented boom in social media platforms, which have transformed people's lives, creating a vast virtual world and rapid information dissemination. This has been exploited by some weak-willed individuals and enemies to spread rumors, lead alarmist operations, and flood society with rumours.

Warning against social media platforms that spread fake and misleading news, and not relying on their news as an official source for information, and that we obtain information directly from its sources so as not to fall into error and prevent these people from achieving their goals of undermining our society and those in it.

Incitement and black accounts

Security researcher and expert in cybersecurity and combating cybercrime, Mohammed Al-Suraihi, believes that black accounts aim to systematically attack the nation and seek to mislead society through destructive, inflammatory posts. Black accounts espouse an ideology of division, intolerance, and hatred, employing a variety of methods, from fabricating allegations to distorting facts to achieve their goals, turning every achievement into an arrow aimed at the nation's side.

Fake accounts have diverse geographic targets, seeking to spread rumors and falsehoods across various internet platforms. They hide behind fake names and pseudonyms, directing their poison at a secure society through hostile tweets designed to undermine confidence in society. This is an old and well-known tactic, so caution is required and opportunities must be thwarted by those who promote discord and who spread hatred in society.

A crime punishable by arrest

Lawyer and legal advisor Majed Al-Ahmari considers the dissemination of false news and rumors using information and communications technology a cybercrime under the Kingdom's Anti-Cybercrime Law. Therefore, the formulation and dissemination of false news falls under the list of "major crimes punishable by arrest."

The system imposes specific penalties against anyone proven to be involved in spreading rumours, disseminating false information and news, or anything that could mislead society, undermine its health and social security, or disturb the peace and tranquility of its people.

Good faith does not exempt from punishment

Attorney and legal advisor Rami Al-Sharif emphasized that being swept up in systematic, malicious campaigns and fabricated information, which find a fertile ground on social media platforms, is extremely dangerous. Participants in these campaigns are not exempt from legal action, even if their contributions are made in good faith.

It is prohibited to produce, prepare, send, or store rumors that could harm public order via the internet or a computer. He added: "Penalties for such rumors may reach five years in prison, a fine of three million riyals, and publication of a summary of the ruling in newspapers at the expense of the convicted person."

Al-Sharif stressed that Article (13) of the system stipulates the confiscation of devices used in the crime, and the closure of the website, the account used, or the place where the service is provided, if the crime was committed with the owner's knowledge. According to Article (9) of the Anti-Cybercrime System, anyone who incites, assists, or agrees to commit any of the aforementioned criminal acts shall be punished with the penalty prescribed for the original perpetrator.

Imprisonment, fine and confiscation

A responsible source in the Public Prosecution confirmed that publishing, promoting, or participating in any form of rumours and falsehoods regarding any matter related to public order via social media—particularly those originating from hostile entities directed from abroad—is a major crime punishable by arrest, in accordance with the Anti-Cybercrime Law and the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The source added: "These acts carry severe penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine of three million riyals, confiscation of the devices and tools used, and publication of the final judgment. These penalties apply to anyone who prepares, sends, or stores information via the internet or a computer, as well as anyone who incites, assists, or agrees to commit this crime."

The source called on everyone to obtain information from official sources, avoid being swept up in rumors or participating in their dissemination, and to utilize and benefit from social media, avoiding the consequences that could lead to criminal prosecution.

The Public Prosecution affirmed that it will not be lenient with anyone found to be involved in such activities, and that they will receive the maximum penalties stipulated by Sharia and the law.