انتشرت في الآونة الأخيرة ظاهرة لافتة على منصات التواصل الاجتماعي، إذ يثير بعض صنّاع المحتوى المتابعين عمداً عبر بثوث مباشرة، تدفع البعض للانفعال أو الرد بألفاظ مسيئة لا تليق، ليتم لاحقاً توثيق تلك الردود ورفع دعاوى قضائية ضد المسيئين، طلباً للتعويض.
وهذه الممارسة التي وُصفت من قبل البعض بـ«الاستفزاز المقصود»، أثارت تساؤلات قانونية وأخلاقية، خصوصاً مع تزايد الحالات الموثقة والمطالبات المالية المرتفعة التي يُجبر المتابعون على دفعها. والتقت «عكاظ» بالمحامي عبدالله الكاسب؛ الذي أوضح الإطار القانوني الحاكم لمثل هذه السلوكيات. ويرى أن ما يقوم به بعض صنّاع المحتوى قد يدخل ضمن نص المادة السادسة من نظام مكافحة الجرائم المعلوماتية، التي تجرم كل ما يمس بالنظام العام أو القيم الدينية أو الآداب العامة أو حرمة الحياة الخاصة، وتصل عقوبتها إلى السجن خمس سنوات وغرامة ثلاثة ملايين ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين.
كما أشار إلى ما تنص عليه المادة الخامسة من نظام الإعلام المرئي والمسموع، التي تُلزم بمراعاة ضوابط المحتوى، بما في ذلك احترام الذات الإنسانية، وعدم إثارة النعرات والكراهية، أو التحريض على العنف، أو تهديد السلم المجتمعي، وهو ما يتواءم مع ما أكد عليه النظام الأساسي للحكم في مادته الثانية عشرة، التي شدّدت على تعزيز الوحدة الوطنية ومنع الفتنة والانقسام.
الحرية لا تعني التجاوز
طبقاً للمحامي الكاسب، فإن لم تتضمن محتويات البث ما يخرق الأنظمة السابقة، فإن السلوك يُعدّ في نطاق حرية التعبير المكفولة نظاماً، إلا أن الردود التي تتضمن سباً أو قذفاً تخرج من هذا الإطار، ويحق لصانع المحتوى حينها رفع دعاوى جزائية ومدنية ضد من أساء إليه، حتى إن كان قد بدأ هو بالاستفزاز غير المجَرَّم، مشدداً على ضرورة وعي مستخدمي المنصات بأن القذف والشتم عبر الإنترنت جرائم معلوماتية يعاقب عليها النظام بالسجن مدة تصل إلى سنة، أو غرامة تصل إلى 500 ألف ريال، أو بهما معاً، وفقاً للمادة الثالثة من نظام مكافحة الجرائم المعلوماتية.
وختم الكاسب بالقول: «حرية الرأي لا تعني تجاوز الحدود النظامية، والمتابع وإن استفُز يبقى مسؤولاً قانونياً عمّا يكتبه أو يقوله، خصوصاً إذا وثّق ذلك بالصوت أو الصورة».
توصيف الاستفزاز المتعمد
المحامي والمستشار القانوني سعد علي الشهراني، قدم لـ«عكاظ» رؤية قانونية موسعة حول توصيف ظاهرة الاستفزاز المتعمد في البثوث المباشرة، مبيناً أنها وإن كانت من الزاوية الأخلاقية مدانة، إلا أن توصيفها القانوني يختلف بحسب طبيعة السلوك. وقال: إن هذا النوع من الاستفزاز قد يُصنف قانونياً ضمن جريمة التشهير أو الإساءة إذا تضمن ألفاظاً تمس الكرامة أو السمعة، وذلك وفقاً للمادة الثالثة من نظام مكافحة الجرائم المعلوماتية، التي تُجرّم التشهير بالآخرين وإلحاق الضرر بهم عبر الوسائل التقنية. وأوضح أن هذه الأفعال تشمل حالات الاستفزاز المتعمد لاستدراج ردود سلبية من المتابعين.
وأشار الشهراني إلى أن السلوك الاستفزازي قد يُعد تحريضاً إذا هدف إلى دفع المتابعين لارتكاب أفعال مجرّمة كالقذف أو التهديد، وهو ما يندرج تحت المادة التاسعة من النظام ذاته. وأضاف أن تجاوز حدود التعبير إلى المساس بالقيم الدينية أو الآداب العامة أو النظام العام، يُدخل الفعل تحت طائلة المادة السادسة، التي تجرّم إنتاج أو إرسال أو تخزين ما من شأنه المساس بحرمة الحياة الخاصة أو النظام العام عبر الشبكة المعلوماتية.
استدراج الردود المسيئة
وبيّن الشهراني أن الاستفزاز، بمختلف أشكاله، لا يُسقط صفة التجريم عن الرد إذا بلغ مستوى السب أو القذف، إلا أنه قد يُؤخذ بعين الاعتبار لتخفيف العقوبة أو التأثير في تقدير المسؤولية، لا سيما إذا ثبت أنه كان ممنهجاً ومقصوداً، وتضمّن دلائل واضحة على النية الاستدراجية لصانع المحتوى.
وفي ما يتصل بالمسؤولية، أوضح الشهراني أنه إذا ثبت تعمّد صانع البث استخدام عبارات مواربة أو استفزازية متكررة بهدف استدراج ردود مسيئة من المتابعين، فإن القضاء قد لا يقر بمسؤوليته الكاملة، وقد يُنظر إلى سلوكه بوصفه تحريضاً ناعماً غير منصوص عليه صراحةً، لكنه يُكيف وفقاً للنية الظاهرة وسلوك الطرفين، وقد يُدرج تحت مظلة سوء الاستعمال أو الاحتيال المعنوي.
وأكد أن الردود التي تتضمن سباً أو تهديداً أو قذفاً تُعد إساءات يعاقب عليها النظام بغض النظر عن الاستفزاز السابق، غير أن القضاء لا يفصل الألفاظ عن سياقها، بل يُحلل البث بالكامل، ويراعي الظروف والنية والسلوك المتبادل. وأضاف أن السياق الكامل، لا المقاطع المجتزأة، هو ما يُعتد به قضائياً عند تقدير العقوبة، تحقيقاً للعدالة، خصوصاً إذا ثبت أن الفعل الأصلي كان سبباً مباشراً في رد الفعل.
الاستفادة من
الفعل غير المشروع
وعن مدى أحقية صانع البث بالمطالبة بتعويض إذا كان هو من بدأ بالإساءة، أوضح الشهراني أن الأمر خاضع لجملة من المبادئ القانونية؛ من أبرزها مبدأ «عدم جواز الاستفادة من الفعل غير المشروع»، فإذا ثبت أن صانع المحتوى استدرج المتابعين عمداً بقصد الكسب، فإن دعواه تُعد غير محقّة. كما أشار إلى مبدأ «الخطأ المشترك» الذي يأخذ به القضاء حال تبادل الإساءة، بحيث يُخفف أو يُسقط التعويض إذا ثبتت مسؤولية الطرفين.
وأكد أن العلاقة السببية بين الضرر ورد المتابع قد تنتفي إذا كان صانع البث هو من تسبب فعلياً في رد الفعل المسيء، وبالتالي لا تُقبل دعواه على أساس التعويض إلا إذا وُجد رابط مباشر بين الفعل والضرر.
وأضاف أنه لا يمكن الجزم بتوجه القضاء في هذا النوع من القضايا لعدم توفر سوابق منشورة تتعلق بالاستفزاز في البث المباشر، موضحاً أن آخر السوابق القضائية المنشورة تعود لعام 1435هـ، وهي مرحلة لم تكن فيها هذه الظواهر الرقمية قد انتشرت كما هو الحال اليوم.
وتابع أن استخدام البث المباشر كوسيلة لاستفزاز المتابعين وتوثيق ردودهم لرفع دعاوى تعويضية، يُعد نوعاً من إساءة استخدام التقنية، بل وقد يُكيف كاحتيال معنوي إذا ثبت تكراره أو توفرت دلائل على نية مسبقة للإيقاع بالآخرين، مما يدخله تحت نطاق المادة (3/5) من نظام مكافحة الجرائم المعلوماتية.
ملاحقة السلوكيات المستحدثة
أشار المحامي الشهراني إلى الحاجة الملحّة لتحديث نظام مكافحة الجرائم المعلوماتية، لمواكبة السلوكيات الرقمية المستحدثة، لا سيما في ظل تنامي استخدام الذكاء الاصطناعي والمحتوى المفبرك، مشدداً على ضرورة وعي المستخدمين بمخاطر التفاعل السلبي مع المحتوى الاستفزازي.
وأوضح أن أي رد فعل يتضمن شتائم قد يُعرض صاحبه للمساءلة، مهما كانت الدوافع، وأن تسجيل البث كاملاً يعد وسيلة دفاع قانونية فعالة، فيما يبقى الخيار الأنسب قانونياً هو تجاهل الإساءة والإبلاغ عنها للجهات المختصة مثل هيئة الاتصالات أو النيابة العامة.
وأضاف: إن الجهل بالقانون لا يُعد عذراً، وإن الفضاء الرقمي ليس خالياً من المسؤولية القانونية، مؤكداً أن الحذر والالتزام هما السبيل لتجنّب الوقوع تحت طائلة المساءلة النظامية.
مخالفة لنظام جرائم المعلومات
المحامية والمحكّمة التجارية الدكتورة رباب أحمد المعبي، أشارت إلى أن البثوث المباشرة على منصات التواصل الاجتماعي تحوّلت في بعض الحالات إلى بيئة خصبة للتنمر، والسب، والقذف، والتشهير، محذّرة من مغبّة الانسياق خلف ردود الفعل العاطفية، والتعامل مع هذه التجاوزات بأسلوب المواجهة المباشرة.
وتوضح، أن هذه الممارسات تُعد مخالفة صريحة لنظام مكافحة الجرائم المعلوماتية، لافتة إلى أن المادة الثالثة من النظام تنص على معاقبة مرتكب جريمة القذف أو التشهير بالسجن لمدة لا تزيد على سنة، أو الغرامة التي لا تتجاوز 500 ألف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين.
وشددت المعبي على أن الخطوة الأولى التي ينبغي اتخاذها في حال التعرض للإساءة هي توثيق المحتوى، سواء كان بثاً مباشراً أو مقطع فيديو أو تعليقاً كتابياً، على أن يتضمن التوثيق تاريخ النشر واسم الحساب أو الرابط المباشر، ومن ثم التقدم بلاغ رسمي، داعية إلى أهمية الوعي القانوني في البيئة الرقمية، وكذلك الأفراد إلى التعامل مع هذه القضايا بنضج ومسؤولية، وقالت: «الرد لا يكون ببث مباشر مضاد أو بمواجهة المتجاوز، بل بالرجوع إلى النظام، فحماية السمعة لا تُنتزع بالصراخ، بل تُسترد بالقانون».
محامون يوضحون لـ«عكاظ» حدود الاستفزاز المتعمد واستدراج الردود المسيئة
«بثوث» تنتهي في المحاكم !
11 يوليو 2025 - 06:43
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آخر تحديث 11 يوليو 2025 - 06:43
تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
عبدالرحمن الأسمري (الرياض) alasmari_m1@
Recently, a notable phenomenon has spread across social media platforms, where some content creators deliberately provoke their followers through live broadcasts, leading some to react emotionally or respond with inappropriate language. These responses are later documented, and lawsuits are filed against the offenders seeking compensation.
This practice, described by some as "intentional provocation," has raised legal and ethical questions, especially with the increasing number of documented cases and the high financial claims that followers are forced to pay. "Okaz" met with lawyer Abdullah Al-Kasib, who explained the legal framework governing such behaviors. He believes that what some content creators are doing may fall under Article Six of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, which criminalizes anything that affects public order, religious values, public morals, or the sanctity of private life, with penalties reaching up to five years in prison and a fine of three million riyals, or one of these penalties.
He also pointed to Article Five of the Audio-Visual Media Law, which mandates adherence to content regulations, including respect for human dignity, and prohibits inciting hatred or violence, or threatening social peace. This aligns with what the Basic Law of Governance emphasizes in its twelfth article, which stresses the promotion of national unity and the prevention of sedition and division.
Freedom does not mean transgression
According to lawyer Al-Kasib, if the content of the broadcast does not violate the aforementioned regulations, the behavior is considered within the scope of freedom of expression guaranteed by law. However, responses that include insults or defamation fall outside this framework, and the content creator has the right to file criminal and civil lawsuits against those who insulted him, even if he initiated the non-criminal provocation. He emphasized the necessity for platform users to be aware that defamation and insults online are cyber crimes punishable by law with imprisonment for up to one year, or a fine of up to 500,000 riyals, or both, according to Article Three of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law.
Al-Kasib concluded by stating: "Freedom of opinion does not mean exceeding legal limits, and the follower, even if provoked, remains legally responsible for what he writes or says, especially if documented by audio or video."
Describing intentional provocation
Lawyer and legal consultant Saad Ali Al-Shahrani provided "Okaz" with an extensive legal perspective on the description of the phenomenon of intentional provocation in live broadcasts, indicating that while it is condemned from an ethical standpoint, its legal description varies based on the nature of the behavior. He stated that this type of provocation may legally be classified as defamation or insult if it includes words that affect dignity or reputation, according to Article Three of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, which criminalizes defamation of others and causing harm to them through technological means. He clarified that these actions include cases of intentional provocation to elicit negative responses from followers.
Al-Shahrani noted that provocative behavior may be considered incitement if it aims to push followers to commit criminal acts such as defamation or threats, which falls under Article Nine of the same law. He added that crossing the boundaries of expression to affect religious values, public morals, or public order places the act under the purview of Article Six, which criminalizes the production, transmission, or storage of anything that may affect the sanctity of private life or public order via the information network.
Provoking offensive responses
Al-Shahrani explained that provocation, in all its forms, does not absolve the act of criminality if it reaches the level of insult or defamation. However, it may be taken into account to mitigate the penalty or influence the assessment of responsibility, especially if it is proven to be systematic and intentional, and includes clear evidence of the content creator's intent to provoke.
Regarding responsibility, Al-Shahrani clarified that if it is proven that the content creator deliberately used ambiguous or repeatedly provocative phrases to elicit offensive responses from followers, the judiciary may not recognize his full responsibility. His behavior may be viewed as soft incitement not explicitly stated, but it is interpreted according to the apparent intent and the behavior of both parties, and may fall under the umbrella of misuse or moral fraud.
He confirmed that responses that include insults, threats, or defamation are considered offenses punishable by law regardless of prior provocation. However, the judiciary does not separate words from their context; rather, it analyzes the entire broadcast, taking into account the circumstances, intent, and mutual behavior. He added that the complete context, not the isolated clips, is what is legally considered when determining penalties, to achieve justice, especially if it is proven that the original act was a direct cause of the reaction.
Benefiting from
the unlawful act
Regarding the content creator's right to claim compensation if he was the one who initiated the offense, Al-Shahrani explained that this matter is subject to several legal principles, the most prominent of which is the principle of "no benefit from an unlawful act." If it is proven that the content creator deliberately provoked followers for profit, his claim is considered unjust. He also referred to the principle of "shared fault," which the judiciary applies in cases of mutual offense, whereby compensation may be reduced or dismissed if both parties are found responsible.
He confirmed that the causal relationship between the harm and the follower's response may be negated if the content creator was the one who actually caused the offensive reaction. Consequently, his claim for compensation would not be accepted unless there is a direct link between the act and the harm.
He added that it cannot be definitively stated how the judiciary will approach this type of case due to the lack of published precedents related to provocation in live broadcasts, noting that the last published judicial precedents date back to 1435 AH, a time when these digital phenomena had not spread as they have today.
He continued that using live broadcasts as a means to provoke followers and document their responses to file compensation claims is considered a form of misuse of technology, and may even be classified as moral fraud if repeated or if there is evidence of a prior intent to trap others, placing it under the scope of Article (3/5) of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law.
Pursuing emerging behaviors
Lawyer Al-Shahrani pointed to the urgent need to update the Anti-Cyber Crime Law to keep pace with emerging digital behaviors, especially in light of the growing use of artificial intelligence and fabricated content. He emphasized the necessity for users to be aware of the risks of negative interaction with provocative content.
He clarified that any reaction involving insults may expose its owner to accountability, regardless of the motives, and that recording the entire broadcast is an effective legal defense. The legally best option remains to ignore the offense and report it to the relevant authorities, such as the Communications Authority or the Public Prosecution.
He added that ignorance of the law is not an excuse, and that the digital space is not free from legal responsibility, emphasizing that caution and compliance are the means to avoid falling under the scope of legal accountability.
Violation of the Cyber Crime Law
Lawyer and commercial arbitrator Dr. Rabab Ahmed Al-Muabi pointed out that live broadcasts on social media platforms have, in some cases, turned into a fertile environment for bullying, insults, defamation, and slander, warning against succumbing to emotional reactions and dealing with these transgressions through direct confrontation.
She explained that these practices constitute a clear violation of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, noting that Article Three of the law stipulates punishing the perpetrator of defamation or slander with imprisonment for no more than one year, or a fine not exceeding 500,000 riyals, or one of these penalties.
Al-Muabi stressed that the first step to take in the event of an offense is to document the content, whether it is a live broadcast, a video clip, or a written comment, ensuring that the documentation includes the date of publication and the account name or direct link. Then, a formal complaint should be filed, emphasizing the importance of legal awareness in the digital environment, as well as individuals dealing with these issues with maturity and responsibility. She said: "The response should not be through a counter live broadcast or confronting the offender, but by referring to the law. Protecting one's reputation cannot be achieved through shouting, but rather restored through legal means."
This practice, described by some as "intentional provocation," has raised legal and ethical questions, especially with the increasing number of documented cases and the high financial claims that followers are forced to pay. "Okaz" met with lawyer Abdullah Al-Kasib, who explained the legal framework governing such behaviors. He believes that what some content creators are doing may fall under Article Six of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, which criminalizes anything that affects public order, religious values, public morals, or the sanctity of private life, with penalties reaching up to five years in prison and a fine of three million riyals, or one of these penalties.
He also pointed to Article Five of the Audio-Visual Media Law, which mandates adherence to content regulations, including respect for human dignity, and prohibits inciting hatred or violence, or threatening social peace. This aligns with what the Basic Law of Governance emphasizes in its twelfth article, which stresses the promotion of national unity and the prevention of sedition and division.
Freedom does not mean transgression
According to lawyer Al-Kasib, if the content of the broadcast does not violate the aforementioned regulations, the behavior is considered within the scope of freedom of expression guaranteed by law. However, responses that include insults or defamation fall outside this framework, and the content creator has the right to file criminal and civil lawsuits against those who insulted him, even if he initiated the non-criminal provocation. He emphasized the necessity for platform users to be aware that defamation and insults online are cyber crimes punishable by law with imprisonment for up to one year, or a fine of up to 500,000 riyals, or both, according to Article Three of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law.
Al-Kasib concluded by stating: "Freedom of opinion does not mean exceeding legal limits, and the follower, even if provoked, remains legally responsible for what he writes or says, especially if documented by audio or video."
Describing intentional provocation
Lawyer and legal consultant Saad Ali Al-Shahrani provided "Okaz" with an extensive legal perspective on the description of the phenomenon of intentional provocation in live broadcasts, indicating that while it is condemned from an ethical standpoint, its legal description varies based on the nature of the behavior. He stated that this type of provocation may legally be classified as defamation or insult if it includes words that affect dignity or reputation, according to Article Three of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, which criminalizes defamation of others and causing harm to them through technological means. He clarified that these actions include cases of intentional provocation to elicit negative responses from followers.
Al-Shahrani noted that provocative behavior may be considered incitement if it aims to push followers to commit criminal acts such as defamation or threats, which falls under Article Nine of the same law. He added that crossing the boundaries of expression to affect religious values, public morals, or public order places the act under the purview of Article Six, which criminalizes the production, transmission, or storage of anything that may affect the sanctity of private life or public order via the information network.
Provoking offensive responses
Al-Shahrani explained that provocation, in all its forms, does not absolve the act of criminality if it reaches the level of insult or defamation. However, it may be taken into account to mitigate the penalty or influence the assessment of responsibility, especially if it is proven to be systematic and intentional, and includes clear evidence of the content creator's intent to provoke.
Regarding responsibility, Al-Shahrani clarified that if it is proven that the content creator deliberately used ambiguous or repeatedly provocative phrases to elicit offensive responses from followers, the judiciary may not recognize his full responsibility. His behavior may be viewed as soft incitement not explicitly stated, but it is interpreted according to the apparent intent and the behavior of both parties, and may fall under the umbrella of misuse or moral fraud.
He confirmed that responses that include insults, threats, or defamation are considered offenses punishable by law regardless of prior provocation. However, the judiciary does not separate words from their context; rather, it analyzes the entire broadcast, taking into account the circumstances, intent, and mutual behavior. He added that the complete context, not the isolated clips, is what is legally considered when determining penalties, to achieve justice, especially if it is proven that the original act was a direct cause of the reaction.
Benefiting from
the unlawful act
Regarding the content creator's right to claim compensation if he was the one who initiated the offense, Al-Shahrani explained that this matter is subject to several legal principles, the most prominent of which is the principle of "no benefit from an unlawful act." If it is proven that the content creator deliberately provoked followers for profit, his claim is considered unjust. He also referred to the principle of "shared fault," which the judiciary applies in cases of mutual offense, whereby compensation may be reduced or dismissed if both parties are found responsible.
He confirmed that the causal relationship between the harm and the follower's response may be negated if the content creator was the one who actually caused the offensive reaction. Consequently, his claim for compensation would not be accepted unless there is a direct link between the act and the harm.
He added that it cannot be definitively stated how the judiciary will approach this type of case due to the lack of published precedents related to provocation in live broadcasts, noting that the last published judicial precedents date back to 1435 AH, a time when these digital phenomena had not spread as they have today.
He continued that using live broadcasts as a means to provoke followers and document their responses to file compensation claims is considered a form of misuse of technology, and may even be classified as moral fraud if repeated or if there is evidence of a prior intent to trap others, placing it under the scope of Article (3/5) of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law.
Pursuing emerging behaviors
Lawyer Al-Shahrani pointed to the urgent need to update the Anti-Cyber Crime Law to keep pace with emerging digital behaviors, especially in light of the growing use of artificial intelligence and fabricated content. He emphasized the necessity for users to be aware of the risks of negative interaction with provocative content.
He clarified that any reaction involving insults may expose its owner to accountability, regardless of the motives, and that recording the entire broadcast is an effective legal defense. The legally best option remains to ignore the offense and report it to the relevant authorities, such as the Communications Authority or the Public Prosecution.
He added that ignorance of the law is not an excuse, and that the digital space is not free from legal responsibility, emphasizing that caution and compliance are the means to avoid falling under the scope of legal accountability.
Violation of the Cyber Crime Law
Lawyer and commercial arbitrator Dr. Rabab Ahmed Al-Muabi pointed out that live broadcasts on social media platforms have, in some cases, turned into a fertile environment for bullying, insults, defamation, and slander, warning against succumbing to emotional reactions and dealing with these transgressions through direct confrontation.
She explained that these practices constitute a clear violation of the Anti-Cyber Crime Law, noting that Article Three of the law stipulates punishing the perpetrator of defamation or slander with imprisonment for no more than one year, or a fine not exceeding 500,000 riyals, or one of these penalties.
Al-Muabi stressed that the first step to take in the event of an offense is to document the content, whether it is a live broadcast, a video clip, or a written comment, ensuring that the documentation includes the date of publication and the account name or direct link. Then, a formal complaint should be filed, emphasizing the importance of legal awareness in the digital environment, as well as individuals dealing with these issues with maturity and responsibility. She said: "The response should not be through a counter live broadcast or confronting the offender, but by referring to the law. Protecting one's reputation cannot be achieved through shouting, but rather restored through legal means."