Federal personal data protection compliance

Where this applies

This record is scoped to United Arab Emirates. Scope is part of the claim: a rule that binds one part of a country does not bind the whole of it, and this library states the scope its sources state.

Instrument

Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021

Who it binds

Organisations processing personal data inside or outside the UAE where the processing relates to the UAE

What it requires

The federal Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), administered by the UAE Data Office (established by Federal Decree-Law No. 44 of 2021), has been in force since 2 January 2022 per the federal government's own portal. Whether implementing executive regulations have been issued — which affects real-world enforceability — is not addressed by that source and is not asserted here in either direction. This federal law is separate from DIFC's and ADGM's own free-zone data protection regimes.

Related records and requirements

• Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) (Canada) — PIPEDA is Canada's federal general-compliance data-protection law, binding organisations that collect, use or disclose personal information in the course of commercial activity.
• Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector (Québec) (Canada) — Québec's own private-sector privacy law is the general-compliance regime for private-sector businesses handling personal information within Québec — it takes the place of PIPEDA for that in-province activity.
• Privacy Act 1988 — Australian Privacy Principles (Australia) — The Privacy Act 1988 binds Australian government agencies and covered organisations to 13 Australian Privacy Principles — the small-business turnover exemption has documented exceptions.
• Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) compliance (Japan) — APPI's general obligations (Art. 21(1) purpose notification, Art. 23 security-management measures) bind business operators handling personal information in Japan.
• Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance compliance (Hong Kong SAR China) — Hong Kong's Cap. 486 sets six Data Protection Principles binding data users in Hong Kong, overseen by the PCPD.
• Personal data protection compliance (Vietnam) — Vietnam's Decree 13/2023 and, from 1 January 2026, Law 91/2025 bind organisations processing personal data in Vietnam to a general data-protection compliance regime.
• Federal personal data protection compliance (Mexico) — Mexico's federal private-sector data-protection law, replaced in full on 20 March 2025, binds private-sector personal-data processing nationwide.
• Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) compliance (Saudi Arabia) — Saudi Arabia's PDPL (Royal Decree M/19) binds entities processing personal data in Saudi Arabia to a general data-protection compliance law.