X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, has implemented geoblocking to make more than 60 accounts unavailable to users within Saudi Arabia, according to London-based human rights organization ALQST. The action affects Saudi dissidents, activists, academics, and independent media outlets. Accounts rendered inaccessible include those of Yahya Assiri, who runs ALQST, and Abdullah Alaoudh, a US-based activist and critic of Saudi human rights practices.
The platform notified affected account holders via email that their content had been restricted “in order to comply with X’s obligations under Saudi Arabia’s local laws.” A Saudi government decree cited allegations that the accounts transmitted material infringing on public order, religious values, public morals, or private life sanctity. The geoblocking began in mid-July, according to ALQST’s monitoring.
This development represents a reversal of X’s earlier position. When similar actions by Meta’s Facebook and Instagram and Snapchat were reported earlier this year, X stated it had not taken action following Saudi requests and said it “strongly believes in defending and respecting the voice of our users.” Accounts of prominent figures including satirist Ghanem al-Masarir were among those affected, with al-Masarir expressing surprise at Musk’s decision to comply.
Human rights advocates have criticized the companies’ compliance. ALQST called for X, Meta, Snapchat, and YouTube to restore access and provide transparency about decision-making processes. Observers noted that technology platforms’ cooperation with such restrictions contradicts stated commitments to free speech protections. Al-Masarir predicted that other authoritarian governments worldwide would follow Saudi Arabia’s approach.
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