Saudi Arabia fines 17 advertisers for violating e-commerce law

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce has slapped fines of 740,000 riyals on violators of online advertising rules stipulated in the e-commerce law, local media reported.

Ads were published through social media platforms such as Snapchat and Twitter in violation of the law.

The ministry said on its Twitter account that the violations included misleading the consumer, making false claims and not disclosing about publishing advertising material.

They were found to be involved in violations such as non-disclosure of providing advertising materials for multiple products such as perfumes, electrical appliances, household utensils, restaurants, insurance companies and fashion sites.

Other violations included false claims related to coffee products as well as miscellaneous food items and exchange of currencies.

Also, the services of two electronic stores were blocked after they were found making false claims.