WhatsApp users in Saudi Arabia have been warned not to carelessly send heart emojis as they face imprisonment and a cash fine. This is related to the country's Anti-Sexual Harassment laws.
In a statement member of the Anti-Fraud Association in Saudi Arabia, Al Moataz Kutbi, said sending a red heart emoji on WhatsApp amounted to a crime of harassment.
"Some of the images and expressions during the chat could turn into a criminal offense of harassment if a lawsuit is filed by the aggrieved party," Kutbi was quoted as saying by Gulf News.
In addition, he also warns application users not to provide conversation topics that cause discomfort or annoy the other person, including using red heart expressions or emojis.
"According to the anti-harassment system, harassment is defined as any statement, act, or gesture that has a sexual connotation made by a person towards another person that touches his or her body or honor or violates modesty by any means or medium, including modern technology," Kutbi explained.
"Including (emoji) that have sexual connotations according to community customs, such as red hearts and red roses," he continued.
He explained that the sender would be held accountable for the violation if the recipient of the message reported it to the police.
According to Saudi law, if the emoji sender is found guilty, he or she will be jailed for two to five years and/or fined Rs100,000.