On February 14, 2021, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”), one of two significant financial services free zones in the United Arab Emirates, enacted its new Data Protection Regulations 2021 (the “Regulations”).  The Regulations will come into force and replace the current Data Protection Regulations 2015 following a transition period of 12 months for current establishments (i.e., those established in ADGM prior to February 14, 2021) and 6 months for new establishments (i.e., those established in ADGM on or following February 14, 2021).

Similar to recently introduced data protection laws in other jurisdictions, such as Brazil and the Dubai International Financial Centre, the Regulations are modeled after the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, which ADGM deemed to be “the leading international standard and best practice for robust Data Protection legislation” following its international benchmark of standards and best practices.

The Regulations also introduce an independent Office of Data Protection serving functions similar to the European Data Protection Board.  The Office will be headed by a Commissioner of Data Protection appointed by ADGM, and its responsibilities will include promoting data protection within ADGM, maintaining a register of data controllers, enforcing obligations upon data controllers, and upholding the rights of individuals.

We will continue to monitor the implementation of the Regulations.  Feel free to reach out to a member of our team if you have any questions.

Tags: Abu Dhabi, Data Privacy
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Photo of Dan Cooper Dan Cooper

Daniel Cooper is co-chair of Covington’s Data Privacy and Cyber Security Practice, and advises clients on information technology regulatory and policy issues, particularly data protection, consumer protection, AI, and data security matters. He has over 20 years of experience in the field, representing…

Daniel Cooper is co-chair of Covington’s Data Privacy and Cyber Security Practice, and advises clients on information technology regulatory and policy issues, particularly data protection, consumer protection, AI, and data security matters. He has over 20 years of experience in the field, representing clients in regulatory proceedings before privacy authorities in Europe and counseling them on their global compliance and government affairs strategies. Dan regularly lectures on the topic, and was instrumental in drafting the privacy standards applied in professional sport.

According to Chambers UK, his “level of expertise is second to none, but it’s also equally paired with a keen understanding of our business and direction.” It was noted that “he is very good at calibrating and helping to gauge risk.”

Dan is qualified to practice law in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Belgium. He has also been appointed to the advisory and expert boards of privacy NGOs and agencies, such as the IAPP’s European Advisory Board, Privacy International and the European security agency, ENISA.

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Photo of Stacy Young Stacy Young

Stacy Young is an associate in the London office. She advises technology and life sciences companies across a range of privacy and regulatory issues spanning AI, clinical trials, data protection and cybersecurity.

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