Acronym

Meaning

Address harvesting

Gathering email addresses lists using automated means from websites or other online sources.

Anti SPAM Policy Framework

The Saudi Anti - SPAM Policy Framework sets up a scheme for addressing electronic SPAM messages within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Bulk

Electronic messages that are typically sent in large numbers to email addresses and mobile phone numbers.

CITC

The Communications and Information Technology Commission.

Content

All forms of information and, without limitation, include text, pictures, animation, video and sound recording, separately or combined and may include software.

Consent

The permission that legislators or regulators wish to require from the sender before sending messages.

Damage

The quantifiable amount of damage measured as a consequence of the SPAMming action.

Dictionary attacks

Automatically generating addresses based on words from dictionary, common names and numbers.

Electronic Address

An Electronic Address includes but is not limited to:

·         An email address

·         An Electronic Address in connection with an instant messaging service;

·         A telephone number; and

·         Others.

End User

Any person with access to an electronic address such as an email account, a telephone number, or an electronic address in connection with an instant messaging service.

Explicit consent

Form of consent where an individual or organization has actively given their permission to a particular action or activity (opt-in)

Functional Unsubscribe Option

An effective option, which may or may not be automated, that allows an electronic account holder to withdraw Consent by indicating to Organizations that such Commercial Communications must not be sent in the future.

Internet

The public network of computer networks known by that name.

Internet Service Provider (or ISP)

An ISP is a service provider that offers a set of services including some or all of the following:
1. Dialup Internet Access.
2. Broadband Internet Access.
3. Email.
4. IP Allocation and Assignment.
5. Web Design and Hosting.
6. Data Centers, Equipment Hosting, etc
7. Application Service Providers such as Network Monitoring.
8. DNS Registration Subject to Applicable Regulations.
8. Internet Content Publishing.
9. Internet Advertising.

Implicit/Inferred consent

A consent which generally can be inferred from the conduct and/or other business relationships of the recipient.

MMS

A standard for telephony messaging systems that allows sending messages that include multimedia objects (images, audio, video, rich text) and not just text as in SMS.

Opt-in

Receivers of messages must specifically provide the senders of messages with permission to transmit messages to them PRIOR to any messages being sent.

Opt-out

Receivers of messages need not specifically provide the senders of messages with permission to transmit message to them PRIOR to any messages being sent. Though following the receipt of a message, they may choose to opt out of receiving further messages from the sender, by requesting them not to send any more messages.

Organizations

All types of Organizations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia including but not limited to:

·         Sole traders that describes any business that is owned and controlled by one person, although they may employ workers;

·         Partnerships;

·         Bodies corporate; and

·         Others.

Pre-Existing Relationship Messages

The messages that sent based on the following relations:
(i) The Recipient has purchased a product or service from an organization within the past 18 months; and
(ii) The Recipient has not unsubscribed or opted-out from commercial or promotional email messages, or otherwise terminated the relationship.

Recipient

Any person or organization that receives or may receive a Commercial Communication. 

Sanctions

Penalties imposed on SPAMmers by the authorized agencies in case of any breach of the SPAM related laws.

SPAM

Any unsolicited electronic message that contains commercial or objectionable content transmitted without prior consent through various communication modes including, but not limited to, e-mails, Mobile Messaging, fax, Bluetooth and instant messaging services.

SPAM Filter

Any product (including software), device solution or service that is designed to minimize, eliminate or quarantine suspected SPAM.

Short Message Service (SMS) 

A service provided by service providers specialized in licensed public telecommunication services in the Kingdom. This service allows service providers or their customers to send or exchange short (text, audio or video) messages. These messages may be addressed directly to the customer, or it can be a public message aired over a certain area to promote a certain product, to provide customers with certain information or to notify them of new developments. It can also be used for replying to customers' inquiries and other similar services. The messages can be up to 160 characters.