The European Union’s new General Data Protection Regulation will come into force 25th May 2018. Companies in the Middle East that do business with in the EU will also have to comply.
Many Middle Eastern countries have introduced their own data protection laws, such as Qatar’s Data Privacy and Protection Law in 2016, which follows many of the same principles of GDPR. Paramount is the focus on the requirement for consent, and ability for individuals to withdraw it.
However, some countries will face a huge challenge to comply with both the local regulation as well as the GDPR. In general, the rules are more relaxed for Middle Eastern organisations when it comes to privacy and breach notification regulations.
A recent report by the UAE-based consultative solutions provider Condo Protego, revealed that 86% of global organisations are concerned are about meeting the new rules.
In the report, Savitha Bhaskar, the chief operating officer of Condo Protego, stressed that organisations based in the UAE will be required to be GDPR compliant, if they process data about EU residents.
He explained that while many businesses in the region are not even aware if they are compliant, it is vital they take initial steps to compliance, or risk falling behind and facing penalties.
GDPR Summit Middle East is a two-day event that will explore the effects of GDPR on businesses operating in the Middle East covering everything from legal ramifications to operational challenges.
For more information visit the website.
GDPR Summit Series is a global series of GDPR events which will help businesses to prepare to meet the requirements of the GDPR ahead of May 2018 and beyond.
