Saudi Arabia: New Data Protection Law Approved

Saudi Gazette, 14 September 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has approved a new personal Data Protection Law.

It will protect personal data from unconsented collection and processing. It will be implemented within six months.

It will protect any personal data which might lead to the user being directly or indirectly identified from unconsented collection and processing.

Data for the purposes of the Law includes a user’s name, identification number, address, phone number, personal records, financial records and Images, videos or any other identifying data.

The aim is to ensure personal data remains private, the sharing of personal data is regulated and personal data is not abused.

Personal means of communication to market or awareness materials are not allowed unless the personal data owner approves it or a mechanism which enables them to express their desire to receive it or not exists.

Awareness materials sent by public authorities are exempt.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Saudi Arabia: Government Ministers to be Banned From Being Board Members

Arab News, 12 September 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Government is going to ban Government ministers from being board members of private companies or leading boards of these companies.

They will only be able to lead them or be members of them if they have Government approval.

The aim is to reduce conflicts of interest in companies and improve governance.

Saudi Arabia Cabinet Decision No. A27/1421 will be amended to state ‘[No] minister is allowed to chair the board of any company or even serve as a member. This does not include those whose chairmanship or membership is by order of Prime Minister’.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Saudi Arabia: Penalties Amended Under New Judicial Implementation Law

Saudi Gazette, 7 September 2021: The Saudi Arabian authorities are considering a new Judicial Implementation Law which will contain amended penalties for violations.

Under the Law, debtors will not be detained and electronic services will still be available to them.

Public sector employees who are involved in preventing or obstructing the implementation of verdicts will be jailed for up to five years. This will be considered an honesty offence.

In addition, there is a provision aimed at addressing the discrepancy between a travel ban order and a decision to terminate the residency permit or iqama of non-Saudi debtors.

Implementation procedures for court orders also ban financial dealings with those who have defaulted in carrying out financial rights.

Those facing proceedings under the Law should have their details announced as well as individuals who are suspected of financing them illegally.

Those who provide incorrect information will also commit an offence.

There will be a system to track illegal funds and the court will have more powers to track, interrogate, recover and invalidate these funds and transactions.

Orders on the seizure and enforcement of the funds owned by the State cannot be issued.

Similarly houses where the insolvent and their legal dependents live as well as their means of travel if their values do not exceed the amount of their solvency cannot be seized unless they are mortgaged to a creditor.

Verdicts on wages and salaries cannot be increased more than 50% of the total wage or salary in the verdict related to alimony debt. It cannot be more than 33.3% for other debts.

In both alimony and other debts, half of the total wage or salary will be allocated to the alimony debt and 33% to other debts.

If there are multiple debts, 33% of the other 50% will be distributed among the creditors in line with the Law and its Implementing Regulations.

An insolvent individual will also be able to continue practising their profession or their craft. They will also be able to carry out their personal obligations. The court will have to assess their solvency and decide on the amount of Government subsidies which can be extended to them.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.

Saudi Arabia: Fines for Disregarding Passports Tightened

Okaz, 31 August 2021: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet has announced it has approved an increase in the fines for individuals disregarding passports.

Under the new Cabinet Decision, a change of passport details or dismissing it will result in a fine of up to 100,000 Riyals.

Previously, fines for this offence were 5,000 Riyals.

The length of travel bans on offenders has also been extended from three to five years.

The same penalties will be applied on those who access the country from illegal terminals and those who enter or leave the country without a passport.

For full story see https://www.okaz.com.sa/news/local/2080557.

To view more news items and other content we have available, visit lexis.ae/demo to book a demo and start your free trial of Lexis® Middle East.

Want to learn more about Lexis® Middle East? Visit, https://www.lexis.ae/lexis-middle-east-law/.