Information Access Policy

Scope

This policy applies to all individual requests to view or obtain public — non-protected — information produced by public entities, regardless of its source, form, or nature.

The provisions of this policy do not apply to protected information, including:

1. Information whose disclosure would harm the State’s national security, policies, interests, or rights.
2. Military and security information.
3. Information and documents obtained under an agreement with another state and classified as protected.
4. Inquiries, investigations, seizure actions, inspections, and surveillance related to a crime, violation, or threat.
5. Information containing recommendations, proposals, or consultations for issuing legislation or a government decision that has not yet been issued.
6. Commercial, industrial, financial, or economic information whose disclosure would achieve unlawful gain or avoid loss.
7. Scientific or technical research, or intellectual property rights whose disclosure would infringe a moral right.
8. Information related to competitions, tenders, and bids whose disclosure would undermine fair competition.
9. Information that is confidential or personal under another regulation, or that requires specific legal procedures to access or obtain.

Main principles of freedom of information

Transparency

Individuals have the right to know information related to the activities of public entities, strengthening integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Necessity and proportionality

Any restrictions on requests to view or obtain protected information received, produced, or handled by public entities must be clearly and explicitly justified.

Presumption of disclosure for public information

Every individual has the right to access public — non-protected — information without necessarily having a particular status or specific interest; they may obtain it without legal liability related to exercising this right.

Equality

All requests to view or obtain public information are handled on an equal basis without discrimination between individuals.

Individual rights regarding access to public information

1. The right to view and obtain any non-protected information held by any public entity.
2. The right to know the reason for refusing access to the requested information.
3. The right to file a grievance against a decision refusing a request for access.

Main requirements for public information access requests

1. The form approved by the Emirate must be completed.
2. The request must be for the purpose of accessing or obtaining public information.

Main steps for requesting access to public information

First

Requests are submitted by completing an electronic or paper form and delivering it to the Emirate.

Second

Upon receiving a request to view or obtain public information, the Emirate takes one of the following decisions:

1. Approval

   When the Emirate approves the request to access or obtain the information in whole or in part.

2. Rejection

   When the request is rejected, the rejection must be in writing or electronic form and include:

   • Whether the request was rejected in whole or in part.
   • Reasons for rejection, where possible.
   • The right to grievance against this rejection and how to exercise it.
3. Notice

   When the requested information is available on the Emirate’s website or outside its jurisdiction, the individual must be notified in writing or electronically, including:

   • Type of notice — for example, data available on the entity’s website, or outside its jurisdiction.
   • The right to grievance against this notice and how to exercise it.

Third

If an individual wishes to file a grievance against the Emirate’s rejection, they may submit a written or electronic grievance notice to the Emirate’s Data Management Office within ten (10) business days of receiving the Emirate’s decision. The office reviews the request and takes the appropriate decision.

Related legislation

In accordance with national data governance policies announced by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).