Riyadh, Mar 31 (Arab News): Saudi law has criminalized the act of spying on your spouse’s mobile phone illegally and has listed this act under cybercrimes.

Husbands or wives who are caught spying on their spouse’s mobile phone in order to prove dishonest behavior can be imprisoned for up to a year, receive a SR 500,000 fine or receive both forms of punishment.

According to legal sources, the penalty is imposed on people who access their spouse’s mobile phone without their permission. Accessing your spouse’s mobile phone becomes illegal when you crack their mobile phone’s password, according to the law.

A penalty of one year in prison and a fine of SR 500,000 is applicable to partners who electronically send the information that they have gained access to. If the person only looks through the phone and does not forward or photograph any of the information, the penalty awarded is less.

Abdul Aziz bin Batel, a lawyer and legal adviser, said that any crime committed using computers, mobile phones and cameras is considered a cybercrime and will be punished accordingly.