The Saudi General Authority of Media Regulation has taken action against more than 50 people in recent weeks over complaints related to rising cost of living and social security cuts.

The government says the social safety net remains a “central priority” and that recent amendments to eligibility criteria for social security are meant to ensure the money goes to those who need it the most.

Human rights groups criticised the arrests and fines, calling them part of “escalating digital crackdowns” where regulation agencies are used as tools to impose censorship. But Saudi media minister Salman al-Dosary, who also chairs the media regulation authority, defended the latest moves and denied that they constitute putting limits on free speech.

“There will be absolutely no tolerance towards anyone who attempts to use freedom of expression to create chaos in the media or electronic spheres, or use false populist rhetoric to increase their followers count,” he said at a press conference last week.

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