Objective of the Policy

This policy was built based on the provisions contained in the national data governance policies issued by the National Data Management Office of the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to set the basic rules that regulate access to public data for individuals in a way that maximizes the utilization of public data assets.

Scope and usage of the policy

This policy applies to all requests by individuals to view or obtain public information produced by the Authority, whatever its source, form or nature - including paper records, information stored on computers, audio or video tapes, maps, photographs, manuscripts or written documents. handwritten, or any other form of recorded information. This policy does not apply to protected information, including the following:

• Information that, if disclosed, may harm the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s national security, policies, interests or rights.
• Military and security information.
• Documents and information obtained in agreement with another state and classified as protected.
• Inquiries, investigations, checks, inspections and monitoring in respect of a crime or violation.
• Information that includes recommendations, suggestions or consultations for issuing governmental legislation or decision not issued yet.
• Commercial, industrial, financial or economic information that, if disclosed, may result in gaining profits or avoiding losses in an illegitimate manner.
• Scientific or technological research, or rights including intellectual property rights that, if disclosed, may result in the infringement of an incorporeal right.
• Tender and bidding Information that, if disclosed, may give rise to violation of fair competition.
• Information that is protected, confidential or personal under law or regulation or authority regulation, or requires certain legal action to be accessed or obtained.

Policy statement

The rights of individuals with regard to accessing or obtaining public information:

• The right to view and obtain any public information from the Authority.
• The right to know the reason for refusing to view or obtain the requested information.
• The right to appeal against the decision of refusing in order to request access and obtain the required information.

Processing Mechanism

• The Authority will process and notify the applicant within thirty working days.
• The required data shall be provided within ten working days from the date of receiving the amount, in case of approval
• The Authority has the right to extend the processing of the application for a reasonable period, after evaluating the volume and nature of the information requested
• In the event that the individual wants to complain, he can submit a written or electronic objection within a period not exceeding ten working days from the date of rejection of the application, according to the policies and procedures followed by the data management office in the authority.

The main requirements for viewing or obtaining information

Key requirements for requests to access or obtain public information:

• The request must be in writing or electronically.
• The General Information Request Form approved by the Authority must be filled out.
• The request must be for the purposes of accessing or obtaining public information.
• The application form must include details of how the final decision and notifications will be sent to the individual.
• The application form must be sent directly to the Authority.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• What does Freedom of Information mean? A set of regulations and procedures governing the right to access public information related to the SFDA’s operations, aimed at promoting transparency and the free exchange of information.
• What type of information can be requested? Public information that is unprotected and classified as “Public,” produced by the SFDA.
• What is meant by access or review? All requests for accessing public information through any means, whether manual or electronic. This includes reviewing all information produced by the SFDA or shared with other entities, whether through transfer, storage, retention, sharing, destruction, analysis, pattern extraction, inference, or linkage with other data.
• Who is considered an applicant? Any entity (individual, government agency, or non-governmental organization) seeking to access or review public information.
• What is protected information? All non-shareable information outlined in the scope section, as its disclosure may lead to harm.
• What is unprotected information? All public information, regardless of its source, format, or nature. This includes paper records, emails, computer-stored data, audio or video tapes, maps, photographs, manuscripts, or any other recorded form of information.
• What is meant by an objection request? An official objection submitted by the applicant to request a reassessment of a rejection decision.

Contacting the Data Management Office Team:

• Please complete and submit the Access or Review Request Form ([Download Form]) and send it by submitting a request via the Nenjazha Service.

Relevant legislation

National data governance policies (issued by SDAIA): the main principles and general rules for the protection of personal data, and for data sharing: