JEDDAH, 28 December 2004 — Internet abuse has become a major problem in Saudi government departments. According to a study conducted in government departments, 60 percent of the employees waste three hours every day surfing the Net and often visiting obscene websites, Al-Madinah newspaper reported.
A recent study showed that 92 percent of Saudi Internet users are visiting indecent sites. The survey also found that Internet has become a source to commit crimes and fraud.
Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Muqrin, who specializes in computer science, said that Internet crimes are on the rise and that it cannot be contained. He said that Net crimes have become a routine problem in Saudi Arabia. “Some people are using the Internet to damage the reputation of others by posting their pictures on the websites or sending it through e-mails. There have been cases of such victims going to the court where these Internet abusers are convicted,” he said.
Faisal Al-Salem, a victim of Internet abuse, said, “I lost over SR1 million through a business deal on the Internet. I realized later that I was a victim of a perfect embezzlement case from both inside and outside the country.”
Ahmad Al-Ghamdi, said, “The worst Internet crime that could be committed is the one against young people especially girls. Internet criminals track young girls until they send a picture and they record their phone conversation and then they start showing their true color. Most crimes of this type are not reported to police because the victims are scared of the resulting scandal.”
