Table of Contents
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Article 8
Article 9
Article 10
Article 11
Article 12
Article 13
Article 14
Article 15
Article 16
Article 17
Article 18
Article 19
Article 20
Article 21
Article 22
Article 23
Article 24
Article 25
Article 26
Article 27
Article 28
Article 29
Article 30
Article 31
Article 32
Article 33
Article 34
Article 35
Article 36
Article 37
Article 38
Article 39
Article 40
Article 41
Article 42
Article 43
Saudi PDPL
Step into privacy research with GoTrust, your trusted hub for understanding Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL). You can click on the button below to find the official PDF of the law, along with timelines for compliance and key implementation details, all in one organized platform.
As your compliance partner, we simplify complex privacy requirements into actionable steps for your business. The PDPL is Saudi Arabia’s comprehensive data protection framework, designed to safeguard personal data, empower individuals with privacy rights, and ensure accountability in data processing across industries.
Personal Data Protection Law
The Personal Data Protection Law protects individuals' privacy and governs how organizations manage personal data. It ensures transparency, accountability, and secure handling of sensitive information, helping to build trust in the digital world.
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FAQs
PDPL stands for Personal Data Protection Law in Saudi Arabia. It regulates how personal data is collected, processed, and stored to protect individuals’ privacy.
Violating the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) in Saudi Arabia can lead to severe penalties, including:
- Criminal Penalty (for unlawful data disclosure with intent to harm):
- Up to 2 years in prison
- Up to SAR 3 million fine
- Administrative Penalties:
- Up to SAR 5 million fine (can be doubled for repeat violations)
- Public disclosure of violations at the violator’s expense
- Confiscation of unlawful gains
- Compensation claims allowed under civil liability provisions
Yes, Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) included a grace period.
- Initial Grace Period: The law was first issued in September 2021, with a one-year grace period provided to allow organizations to prepare for compliance.
- Extension of Grace Period: The grace period was extended following amendments in 2023. Full enforcement of the PDPL began on September 14, 2024.
The Saudi PDPL differs from GDPR in several key aspects:
- Stricter rules on data transfer outside Saudi Arabia: Requires approval unless exempted.
- More centralized enforcement: Primarily enforced through SDAIA.
- Sector-specific exemptions: Some sector-specific exemptions may apply.
The Saudi Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) was fully implemented on September 14, 2024.
- The law was initially issued in September 2021.
- The amended law came into force on September 14, 2023, but full enforcement (including penalties and regulatory action) began after the grace period, on September 14, 2024.
- The PDPL is enforced by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA).
The content on this website is for information purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice. GoTrust does not endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement, or other information displayed, uploaded, or distributed through the website.