4 days ago
DIFC Enacts Legislative Amendments to Strengthen Data Protection and Clarify Financial Laws
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has officially enacted updates to several key laws through the DIFC Laws Amendment Law No. 1 of 2005, aimed at enhancing legal clarity and aligning with global standards. The amendments came into effect on 15 July 2025, following their enactment on 8 July 2025.
A significant update has been made to the DIFC Data Protection Law, introducing new rights and expanding existing protections for data subjects. Most notably, the amendments establish a Private Right of Action, allowing individuals to bring claims before the DIFC Courts if their personal data is misused in breach of the law. This provision enhances the legal recourse available to residents and organisations operating within DIFC.
Other key updates to the Data Protection Law include: Expanded scope and extraterritorial application , clarifying how the law applies to entities outside DIFC that process DIFC-based data.
, clarifying how the law applies to entities outside DIFC that process DIFC-based data. An update to Article 28 on Data Sharing, introducing clearer criteria for determining the adequacy of third countries when transferring personal data outside DIFC jurisdiction.
In addition to data protection reforms, DIFC has enacted clarificatory amendments to three other critical areas of its legal framework: Law of Security
Insolvency Law
Employment Law
These refinements aim to eliminate ambiguity and ensure legal coherence across the Centre's regulatory ecosystem, reinforcing DIFC's commitment to maintaining a best-in-class legal environment for financial services and business operations.
The latest changes reflect DIFC's continuous efforts to stay aligned with international best practices, bolster regulatory transparency, and strengthen the confidence of stakeholders in its legal infrastructure.
The amended laws are now available through the DIFC Legal Database, ensuring full public access for compliance and reference.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
