Saudi Arabia warns Snapchat users that ‘insulting’ regime is a criminal offense

Users of the social media app have faced legal consequences for posts - some private - that are critical of Saudi authorities

Saudi state media issued an explicit warning that it is a criminal offense to insult" authorities using social media apps such as Snapchat, the California-based messaging app whose chief executive recently forged a new cooperation" deal with the kingdom's culture ministry.

The threat - which was originally televised in April and then deleted - has gained new resonance as more cases emerge in which Snapchat users and influencers in the kingdom have been arrested by authorities and, in some cases, sentenced to decades-long prison sentences.