Data, privacy and AI rules

Due in 60 days12Regulations190

12 due in 60 days · 190 regulations

Philippines Data Privacy Act

In force Philippines · In force Sep 8, 2012 · no upcoming deadlines

Official text
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Deadlines

Takes effectTentativeSep 9, 2016 · 10.1 years ago · Source
Implementing Rules take effectThe IRR takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette (sec. 72), with 72-hour breach notice. The exact date was not shown on the NPC page.
Takes effectTentativeSep 8, 2012 · 14.1 years ago · Source
Data Privacy Act takes effectThe Act takes effect 15 days after publication in two national newspapers (sec. 45). This date comes from secondary sources, not the NPC page.

Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.

What it does

The Philippines' general data privacy law. It sets consent and lawful processing rules, protects sensitive personal information, gives data subjects access, correction, erasure and portability rights, and creates the National Privacy Commission. Its 2016 Implementing Rules require breach notice to the NPC and affected people within 72 hours, plus registration of data processing systems.

Who it applies to
Personal information controllers and processors in the Philippines, and those outside it that process data of Philippine citizens or residents or use equipment in the Philippines.
Penalties
Criminal penalties, for example 1 to 3 years in prison and PHP 500,000 to 2 million for unauthorized processing, or 3 to 6 years and up to PHP 4 million for sensitive information. The NPC can also issue compliance and stop orders.
Enforced by
National Privacy Commission (NPC)
Official name
Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173)
Citation
Republic Act No. 10173
Topics
Privacy, Breach notification
Verified 2026-09-25 privacy.gov.ph lawphil.net
Research notes

The NPC page shows the approval date (15 Aug 2012) but not the publication or start dates. Penalty figures come from the Act text as given on LawPhil.

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Questions about Philippines Data Privacy Act
What are the Philippines Data Privacy Act compliance deadlines?
Sep 8, 2012: Data Privacy Act takes effect (tentative). Sep 9, 2016: Implementing Rules take effect (tentative).
When does Philippines Data Privacy Act take effect?
Philippines Data Privacy Act took effect on Sep 8, 2012.
Who does Philippines Data Privacy Act apply to?
Personal information controllers and processors in the Philippines, and those outside it that process data of Philippine citizens or residents or use equipment in the Philippines.
What are the penalties under Philippines Data Privacy Act?
Criminal penalties, for example 1 to 3 years in prison and PHP 500,000 to 2 million for unauthorized processing, or 3 to 6 years and up to PHP 4 million for sensitive information. The NPC can also issue compliance and stop orders.