If you are a resident of Saudi Arabia and sending red hearts to people on Whatsapp social media platform, you might go to jail for 2 years and a fine of up to SAR 100,000.
Although the above policy does not mean that the use of emoji is banned in the country. But if someone finds the use of heart emoji as inappropriate, then he/she is entilted to file a complaint against the sender.
Moataz Kutbi, a member of the Anti-Fraud Association in Saudi Arabia provided information about the matter noting that if an individual is found sending red hearts to anyone on WhatsApp, they will have to face serious consequences, adding the act will be considered as ‘harassment crime’.
Enlightening the matter in extensive manner, he further added, “According to the anti-harassment system of Saudi Arabia, harassment is defined as every statement, act, or gesture with a sexual connotation made by a person towards any other that touches his/her body or honour or infringes his/her modesty by any means, including modern technology. This includes (emojis) associated with the sexual connotations according to the custom of society, such as red hearts and red roses.”
In case, if someone is found guilty twice for the offence, then the fine amount and jail time period will increase. In such situation, the fine could get upto SAR 300,000 and jail of 5 years.