UAE: Sheikh Mohammed Enacts New Data Protection Law for Dubai International Financial Centre

The Ruler of Dubai and the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has passed the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Data Protection Law (DPL) No. 05 of 2020, enabling the DIFC to strengthen its leadership in enhancing data protection practices.

The new law will replace the previous DPL DIFC Law No. 01 of 2007 with effect from the 1st of July 2020. However, all applicable businesses will have a three months grace period to prepare and abide by with the new law. Meanwhile the Board of Directors of the DIFC have also introduced new data protection regulations outlining procedures for accountability, fines, record keeping, and cross border transfer of dat...