The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has announced it has enacted amendments to its Data Protection Regulations.

Among other amendments, the Centre has enacted the region’s first regulations on the processing of personal data via autonomous and semi-autonomous systems such as Artificial Intelligence or generative, machine learning technology. Regulation 10 creates space for the DIFC to be a platform for interoperability of the many and varied guidelines and principles issued by sovereign governments and non-governmental organisations. The creation of a plug-and-play space for the application of best-fit principles to Artificial Intelligence technology development is fundamental, responsible and ethical processing of personal data in such systems.

The amendments also provide clarity on personal data breach assessments and reporting obligations. This will include situations where a temporary custodian finds personal data that has been inadvertently left behind or lost.

In addition, they provide clarity on the use and collection of personal data for marketing and communication purposes, particularly in terms of appropriate notices when employing systems that may impair data individuals’ rights to restrict or remove their personal data, default cookies settings and conditions for consent.

They also provide clarity on investigations and the enforcement powers of the Commissioner when a controller or processor may employ unfair or deceptive practices.

The Commissioner’s Office is also considering testing use cases through participation in a regulatory sandbox comprised of technology developers, users, regulators and non-governmental or quasi-governmental organisations.

Guidance to accompany the updated Regulations will be issued in due course.

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