Influencers in Saudi Arabia must now obtain a licence in order to post advertisements on social media platforms. According to the Kingdom’s General Commission for Audio Visual Media, the licence will cost around $4,000 and will be valid for three years.
In addition, the government launched the “Mawthooq” platform, through which the licence could be obtained. Only Saudi citizens are eligible for the licence, and advertising firms have been instructed not to work with unlicensed influencers. Citizens of other Gulf countries, according to the announcement, must obtain a different permit – an investment licence – in order to work with an advertising agency. Saudi Arabia’s acting Minister of Media, Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, stated that influencers must obtain the necessary permits before October 1 to avoid fines and other legal consequences.
