The operating company for the automated vehicle monitoring system “Saher” stands to face penalties for posting photos and videos of traffic law violators on social media websites.

Inside sources told Al-Watan newspaper that Saher had been warned by higher authorities who received complaints from citizens and residents whose photos were going viral after they had committed traffic violations. The alleged violators said that these actions fall under ‘defamation’ and that they would prosecute the company.

They also said that some videos were circulated on WhatsApp which were impacting the victims negatively pointing out that the photos of these people taken by Saher employees was an unjustified breach of the law.

Sources said that all traffic staff will be subject to legal and disciplinary sanctions and those punishments will specifically target those found guilty of leaking clips of car accidents or violators.

Experts confirmed that the Saher Company could face cancelation of its license if the damage caused by publishing these videos was confirmed.

Other punishments could involve laying off employees and facing court trials if the victims asked to sue for their personal rights.

From a legal point of view, legal consultant Bandar Al-Amodi said that these cases fall under the cyber crimes act as technology was directly linked to the cause of harm.

Al-Amoudi explained that the clips of accidents, speeding, or running red lights are considered confidential by the company operating the Saher camera.

“They are only allowed to show these videos after obtaining special permission from the specialized and judicial authorities. Even then, the showing of such videos is limited to formal and limited settings,” he clarified.