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Original poster

Partner moving to Saudi Arabia- question about porn and WhatsApp

77 replies

hamsterballs · 27/05/2025 18:37

Hello! I am really in need of some solid advice. I can’t find a definite answer on google and I feel like my partner is ignorant about the rules of Saudi.

He is leaving soon to work on the line.

I have a million concerns but one that is worrying me is that he was outright told no pornography allowed. He is of course willing to adhere to these rules. However, he is part of a few groups chats with friends who send the most horrific/ stupid/ disgusting stuff. Sometimes he says he doesn’t even read the conversations because they send/ talk rubbish etc. But he will not leave the groups as it’s the only way to be involved, stay in the loop, connect with his friends. I do understand that.

My concern is that while in Saudi Arabia, these things are not allowed to be possessed at all. He seems to think that if he deletes it, it is fine. I told him he should really leave the group chats.

Does anyone have any experience of this who can please help me? Hate to think of him getting in serious trouble for anything let alone something so stupid.

OP posts:
KumquatHigh · 27/05/2025 18:59

I always look on .gov but surely his employer will give him all the information on laws and how he needs to manage his life in a different country.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia

Saudi Arabia travel advice

FCDO travel advice for Saudi Arabia. Includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements and legal differences.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia

MummytoE · 27/05/2025 19:05

I'm sure you can set what'sapp up to not automatically download photos or videos. So he could be in the chat but not have access to anything that might get him in bother. Double check that though. Safest would be for him to leave the chats I'm sure

Original poster
hamsterballs · 27/05/2025 19:50

Thank you both for the replies. I will have a read and have a look into WhatsApp settings

OP posts:
Sofiewoo · 27/05/2025 19:51

Your bigger problem is your boyfriend.

Original poster
hamsterballs · 27/05/2025 20:03

@Sofiewoo could you explain please

OP posts:
Ted27 · 27/05/2025 20:08

@hamsterballs

What does 'horrific/stupid/disgusting ' mean.
Are you sure it's legal in this country ? If it's not legal it doesn't matter if he doesn't participate in group chats or send images. If it's on his phone he is guilty.

To be blunt this his responsibility not yours. If he is going to be so stupid he deserves everything he gets.

Sofiewoo · 27/05/2025 20:14

hamsterballs · 27/05/2025 20:03

@Sofiewoo could you explain please

Your boyfriend participates in “the most horrific (&) disgusting” sexual shares in an online group.
You can blame it on his “friends” but you would be wrong.

Original poster
hamsterballs · 27/05/2025 20:19

An example would be the video that circulated of the prison officer who was having sex with the prisoner.

It is stuff that circulates on TikTok and social media.

Being sent directly to his phone is my concern.

I’m sure people have opinions on this kind of thing but I was just looking for advice or experience on the rules of Saudi specifically.

OP posts:
HenDoNot · 27/05/2025 20:21

He’s a grown up. He’s big enough to enjoy group chats in which he and his friend share “horrific” and “disgusting” stuff amongst themselves for fun.

I’m sure he can figure out Saudi laws all by himself without you spoon feeding him.

Original poster
hamsterballs · 27/05/2025 20:22

@Sofiewoo I may have made it seem worse than it is. It’s stuff that is circulating social media. But it’s being sent to his phone.

for example the person who drove into all them people in Liverpool yesterday. His chat was going crazy with all the links and social media posts. I’d be pretty certain that some of that contained hateful speech. (As part of the original posts being sent , not from his friends)

this is what I’m asking

OP posts:
CharlotteRumpling · 27/05/2025 20:23

Ugh. He sounds awful without the S Arabia angle. So do his friends.
That would be my concern.

Sofiewoo · 27/05/2025 20:24

hamsterballs · 27/05/2025 20:22

@Sofiewoo I may have made it seem worse than it is. It’s stuff that is circulating social media. But it’s being sent to his phone.

for example the person who drove into all them people in Liverpool yesterday. His chat was going crazy with all the links and social media posts. I’d be pretty certain that some of that contained hateful speech. (As part of the original posts being sent , not from his friends)

this is what I’m asking

If you have to baby your boyfriend in order for him to not get arrested in Saudi for discussing “horrific” things online then you’ve picked the wrong manchild.

Topjoe19 · 27/05/2025 20:25

Awful, I'd be so angry if my DH was on a WhatsApp group like that.

Well if he won't leave the group & he gets in trouble that's on him isn't it? It's not for you to sort it out for him.

Original poster
hamsterballs · 27/05/2025 20:26

As helpful as ever. Thank you all

OP posts:
CharlotteRumpling · 27/05/2025 20:34

hamsterballs · 27/05/2025 20:19

An example would be the video that circulated of the prison officer who was having sex with the prisoner.

It is stuff that circulates on TikTok and social media.

Being sent directly to his phone is my concern.

I’m sure people have opinions on this kind of thing but I was just looking for advice or experience on the rules of Saudi specifically.

I wouldn't want to be in Saudi trying to convince the religious police that I never even looked at this clip, honest!

Aligirlbear · 27/05/2025 22:25

If it’s on his phone he is in possession of the images / files even if he hasn’t looked at them. If it is illegal to possess porn / hate speech / religious bigotry etc. then he has committed a crime if he is found out as I suspect he doesn’t delete them immediately and even if he deletes the files on his phone in certain circumstances they can still be found / reinstated so it is not a solution to rely on. At the end of the day its up to your boyfriend to decide if it’s worth the risk but based on the track records of several of the gulf states, not just Saudi Arabia , he won’t get cut any slack if he is found with the images.

madamepresident · 27/05/2025 22:37

I Know it’s completely blocked in Kuwait so I would imagine the same in Saudi. Not that I was looking but I was looking up something about breastfeeding one time and i got a warning notice flash up saying that this site was banned. Mentioned this to a guy friend who confirmed they put a complete block on sites so you can’t even view them. So if it’s a link I’d imagine it just won’t work. Nothing happens if you try and view them. I’d advise him to be extremely respectful of the country’s laws as they will not hesitate to deport you if you’re caught doing something you shouldn’t be doing.

PermanentTemporary · 27/05/2025 22:45

I think you're thoughtful and clever, this would never have occurred to me!

His group chats sound horrible Sad

Do you have any friends who have worked out there you can ask?

Dbank · 27/05/2025 22:47

Without going into details, He would be very unwise to remain on the whatsapp group.

Original poster
hamsterballs · 28/05/2025 07:04

I truly appreciate those last few replies. Thank you so much.
I had no one else to ask as this is completely new situation to me and I am just trying to make sure we have all the facts.

OP posts:
DongDingBell · 28/05/2025 07:20

The chances of his phone being checked are low (noone ever looked at mine - neither was my luggage ever searched more than the x-rays that everyone's cases go through).
The consequences if he is found with some of the stuff you are talking about are not good.

Jk987 · 28/05/2025 07:46

Horrific pictures? I’m praying it’s of consenting adults at least? Are they even legal in the UK? Doesn’t matter what country he’s in does it, why can’t he tell his mates to stop? I bet he posts horrific pictures too.

Let him get caught. He’s too stupid to take responsibility and you’re not his Mum.

Good luck with your relationship…

Largestlegocollectionever · 28/05/2025 07:50

You sound controlling, you want him to leave the group chats and this is your way of trying to force this on him.
He’s a grown adult man, stop smothering him, no good will come of it.

Tinseltuttifruitti · 28/05/2025 07:54

Incredible what some women will put up with not to be single 🙄

theleafandnotthetree · 28/05/2025 07:55

What with the willing to work in Saudi Arabia and the skeezy friend group, he sounds delightful.