Forwarding illegal content — even if you did not create it — can expose you to criminal liability under Saudi Arabia's Anti-Cyber Crime Law. Article 9 explicitly states that anyone who incites, assists, or collaborates with others to commit a cybercrime is subject to punishment of up to the maximum penalty for the underlying offense. Forwarding a message containing content that violates public order, religious values, or personal privacy could be treated as participation in its distribution.
The severity of the penalty depends on the nature of the content. For example, forwarding content that defames individuals or violates privacy falls under Article 6 (up to five years and three million riyals), while forwarding material related to terrorism or serious organized crime could trigger the maximum penalties under Article 7 (up to ten years and five million riyals).
The practical advice for expats is straightforward: do not forward content you have not verified as lawful, particularly anything involving criticism of the government or religion, explicit material, or unverified news. Group chats on WhatsApp are not private in a legal sense in Saudi Arabia and have been used as evidence in prosecutions. If you receive suspicious or potentially illegal content, delete it rather than share it.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Saudi Arabia.