Data Strategy Briefing — September 24, 2021

Executive briefing: Saudi Arabia promulgated the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) via Royal Decree M/19 on 24 September 2021, creating the Kingdom’s first comprehensive data protection regime. The law, overseen by the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), introduces lawful basis requirements, data subject rights, controller registration duties, localisation expectations, and cross-border transfer restrictions with limited exemptions.

Key governance checkpoints

Legal bases and records. Catalogue processing activities against PDPL lawful bases and prepare records of processing in Arabic for SDAIA inspection.
Localisation and transfers. Identify datasets subject to localisation or prior authorisation before transferring personal data outside the Kingdom.
Data subject rights. Implement procedures for access, correction, deletion, and withdrawal of consent within statutory timelines.

Operational priorities

Governance structure. Appoint a qualified data controller representative in the Kingdom and define reporting lines to senior leadership.
Risk assessments. Develop impact assessment methodologies for high-risk processing, biometrics, and cross-border transfers.
Incident management. Align breach detection, notification, and remediation playbooks with PDPL reporting requirements.

Enablement moves

Monitor SDAIA regulations and executive rules released during the law’s grace period to refine compliance roadmaps.
Coordinate with sector regulators—such as SAMA and the Communications, Space & Technology Commission—for sector-specific privacy controls.

Sources

Zeph Tech guides Saudi organisations through PDPL readiness assessments, localisation strategies, and SDAIA engagement playbooks during the implementation grace period.