Scope
This policy applies to all user requests to view or access public, unprotected information produced by Saudipedia, regardless of its source, form, or nature.
The provisions of this policy do not apply to protected information:
- Information the disclosure of which would harm the state’s national security, or its policy, interests, or rights.
- Military and security information.
- Information and documents obtained pursuant to an agreement with another country and classified as protected.
- Enquiries, investigations, enforcement actions, searches, and monitoring related to a crime, offence, or threat.
- Information that includes recommendations, proposals, or consultations for the purpose of issuing legislation or a government decision that has not yet been issued.
- Scientific or technical research, or rights involving any intellectual property right, where disclosure would infringe a moral right.
- Information relating to competitions, tenders, and auctions where disclosure would compromise fair competition.
- Information that is confidential or personal under another regulation, or that requires specific statutory procedures to access or obtain.
Main Principles of Freedom of Information
- Transparency: Users have the right to know information related to Saudipedia’s activities in order to strengthen the integrity, transparency, and accountability framework.
- Necessity and proportionality: Any restrictions on requests to view or obtain protected information received, produced, or handled by Saudipedia must be justified in a clear and explicit manner.
- Disclosure is the default for public information: Every user has the right to view public, unprotected information, and the applicant is not required to have a specific status or particular interest in such information in order to obtain it; nor shall they be subject to any legal accountability in relation to this right.
- Equality: All requests to view or obtain public information are handled on the basis of equality and non-discrimination between users.
Users’ Rights in Relation to Accessing or Obtaining Public Information
- The right to view and obtain any unprotected information held by any public entity.
- The right to know the reason for refusing to view or obtain the requested information.
- The right to lodge a grievance against a decision refusing a request to view or obtain the requested information.
Main Requirements for Requests to Access or Obtain Public Information
- To request the approved form for accessing information, please contact by email: info@saudipedia.com.
- The request must be for the purposes of accessing or obtaining public information.
Main Steps to Request Viewing or Obtaining Public Information
- First: Submit requests by completing an electronic form and submitting it to Saudipedia.
- Second: Saudipedia receives the request to view or obtain public information and takes one of the following decisions:
- Approval: after Saudipedia approves the request to access or obtain the information, in full or in part.
- Refusal: if the request to access or obtain the information is refused, the refusal must be in writing or electronically and include the following information:
- Whether the request was refused in full or in part.
- Reasons for the refusal, where possible.
- The right to lodge a grievance against this refusal and how to exercise this right.
- Notice of an extension and the expected date for completing the request.
- Reasons for the delay.
- The right to lodge a grievance against this extension and how to exercise this right.
- Notification: if the requested information is available on the Saudipedia website, or is not within its scope, the individual must be notified in writing or electronically, and the notification must include the following information:
- Type of notification: for example, the requested data is available on the Saudipedia website, or is not within its scope.
- The right to lodge a grievance against this notification and how to exercise this right.
- Third: If the individual wishes to lodge a grievance against the refusal of the request by Saudipedia, they may submit a written or electronic grievance notice to the Data Management Office at Saudipedia within a period not exceeding (10) working days from receiving Saudipedia’s decision. Saudipedia will review the request and take the appropriate decision.