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Find out moreThe final Law Update of 2022 is here, and it’s packed full of articles. The double edition features two focus areas, first is a spotlight on Energy and Resources and second we feature a collection of articles on Transport and Logistics. The developments occurring in these sectors in the MENA region are unprecedented and our lawyers cover vast themes for you.
The Energy and Resources focus features topics such as diversifying energy resources, solar PV, mining in the Middle East, renewable energy and green hydrogen. From a transport perspective, we draw attention to the Bahrain metro project, discuss the challenges and remedies associated with the repossession of an aircraft, and there is advice on what to consider should a party vary the terms of a shipping contract.
This edition navigates you through updates from across jurisdictions such as, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE. Each article is timely and provides insights into legal issues and cases that are affecting these sectors across the region.
Read the full editionThe Saudi Data & AI Authority (“SDAIA“) has recently launched a public consultation on proposed changes to Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (“PDPL“). The public consultation will end on Tuesday, 20 December.
Following this, it is still anticipated that the PDPL will come in force in March 2023 and that controllers will have a one-year grace period to ensure compliance. The proposed changes are significant, and many will be welcomed by business. Some important changes include:
Other areas addressed by the proposed changes include clarifying the powers and functions of the KSA data protection regulator, modifications to some of the penalties for breach of the law, the definition of sensitive personal data (which no longer includes location data) and amendments that will make it easier for a controller to appoint a data processor. The proposed amendments also tidy up the drafting, address unclear language and cross references in the existing PDPL.
The proposed changes are welcome, but much of the detail underlying these changes will be contained in the as yet unpublished Regulations which will implement the PDPL. Therefore, how these new provisions will operate in practice remains to be seen. Once the consultation period ends, we expect to see both a revised PDPL and a draft of the Regulations in due course.
Our Digital & Data team would be pleased to assist in providing input on the consultation and advising on compliance steps as the privacy landscape in the KSA takes shape.
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