Saudi Women Blackmailed Via Snapchat

On November 7, 2016, it was reported that the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Saudi religious police) was investigating 29 Snapchat blackmailing cases brought forward by young women. Security researcher Mohammed Al-Sariee said that 15% of blackmailing cases that arose during the 2015-16 period occurred on Snapchat, 13 of which were reported during August, September and October 2016. The perpetrators of the blackmailing had the women send them photos and videos, then published them on Instagram and demanded ransom for their removal. The women were fearful of reporting the blackmailing to the police, as they were afraid that the police would contact their parents.