Regulationsby GlyphUAE PDPL
In force United Arab Emirates · In force Jan 2, 2022 · no upcoming deadlines
Deadlines
PDPL enters into forceDecree-law takes effect; compliance obligations tied to Executive Regulations.
Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.
What it does
Federal GDPR-style data protection law for the onshore UAE covering consent and other bases, data subject rights, breach notification, DPOs and cross-border transfers. Key details (including fines and some thresholds) depend on Executive Regulations that have not been issued.
- Who it applies to
- Processing of personal data of UAE residents or by controllers/processors established in the UAE; excludes free zones with their own laws (DIFC, ADGM), government data, and health/banking data covered by sectoral laws.
- Penalties
- Administrative penalties to be set by Cabinet decision; not yet issued.
- Enforced by
- UAE Data Office
- Official name
- Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data
- Citation
- Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021
- Topics
- Privacy, Breach notification, Data residency
Verified 2026-09-22 u.ae
Research notes
Executive Regulations still unpublished as of 2026; organisations get six months from their issuance to comply. No dated compliance deadline yet.
Related
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Kenya Data Protection ActKenya's GDPR-inspired data protection law establishing the ODPC, mandatory registration of data controllers and processors, data subject rights, 72-hour breach notification to the Commissioner, DPIAs, and conditions on cross-border transfers (with some data localisation for strategic public interest processing).In effect since Nov 25, 2019
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Saudi PDPLSaudi Arabia's comprehensive data protection law with implementing regulations and separate transfer regulations: legal bases, data subject rights, breach notification to SDAIA within 72 hours, DPO and registration requirements, and restrictions on transfers outside the Kingdom.In effect since Sep 14, 2023
South Africa Cybercrimes ActCreates cybercrime offences such as unlawful access, interception, interference with data and systems, cyber fraud, extortion, and malicious communications including harmful intimate images. It also sets rules for search, seizure and cross-border cooperation. The duty for electronic communications service providers and financial institutions to report cybercrime (section 54) has not yet commenced.In effect since Dec 1, 2021
Questions about UAE PDPL
- What are the UAE PDPL compliance deadlines?
- Jan 2, 2022: PDPL enters into force.
- When does UAE PDPL take effect?
- UAE PDPL took effect on Jan 2, 2022.
- Who does UAE PDPL apply to?
- Processing of personal data of UAE residents or by controllers/processors established in the UAE; excludes free zones with their own laws (DIFC, ADGM), government data, and health/banking data covered by sectoral laws.
- What are the penalties under UAE PDPL?
- Administrative penalties to be set by Cabinet decision; not yet issued.