GDPPR: the main provisions of the personal data protection regulation in Dubai, UAE

GDPPR the main provisions of the personal data protection regulation in Dubai, UAE - Makebiz

Since 2021, the government of the United Arab Emirates has been actively working on creating its own set of rules for the protection of personal data. Its basis is the European Union’s GDPR general regulation. 

Federal Decree-Laws No. 44 and No. 45 are in force in the UAE since 2022. They contain the basic concepts of personal data, rules for its collection and processing, as well as a new regulatory body in this area — the UAE Data Authority.

In accordance with generally accepted standards, the decree has the following provisions:

  • on basic concepts;
  • on the need to keep records of processed data;
  • listing the grounds for the collection of personal data;
  • requirements for the collection procedure;
  • the elaboration of special protection rules for “high risk” data;
  • the rights of citizens in case of breach of legislation and leakage of confidential information;
  • prohibition of international transfer of personal data to countries where the security of personal data is not guaranteed;
  • description of the cases when it is necessary to hire a specialized data protection officer. 

Compliance with the Regulation must be ensured by all organizations that collect personal information about their customers located in the UAE. This also applies to companies registered outside the Emirates but working with local customers.  

Personal data is any information that identifies a customer in any area: from name to religious views, health status, etc. The law does not apply to legal entities. Personal information given by an individual is processed by the Controller or the Operator (authorized for processing by the Controller). They are obliged to keep a record of the data provided and ensure its safety and security. 

There are several exceptions in the legislation when the Regulation does not apply:

  • personal data is processed by government, law enforcement or judicial authorities;
  • collection of medical or financial data, if there is separate legislation in the field of their processing;
  • the data subject is located within the DIFC and ADGM free zones, which have their own legislation;
  • the data is used for non-commercial purposes.

When processing large amounts of information, an organization may be exempted from the UAE Data Authority Regulation. 

Without the consent of the individual, data processing is considered lawful in the case of: 

  • execution of a contract where the data subject is one of the parties;
  • protection of the vital interests of the data subject;
  • compliance with certain points of legislation by the Controller.

The processing of high-risk information entails the appointment of a Data Protection Officer. This category includes information about new technologies related to data protection, certain political, religious and medical particularities.

The authorized employee must reside in the UAE, have an appropriate level of qualification and cooperate with the DIFC Commissioner. Controller or the Operator shall grant him/her access to the information and, if necessary, may consult with the officer on personal data protection issues.

The detection of a data breach obliges the Controller to inform the data subject and to provide information about the breach and the progress of the investigation to the regulator.Administrative liability may be imposed for violations of the implementation of the Federal Data Protection Acts.

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