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Personal Data Protection Law No. 26/2024 (CITRA)

Kuwait2024Privacy

Overview

Kuwait's Personal Data Protection Law No. 26 of 2024, enacted in February 2024, is the country's first dedicated legislation for personal data protection. It establishes rules for lawful data processing, individual rights, and organizational responsibilities under the supervision of the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA).

The law applies to banks, telecom operators, government entities, e-commerce platforms, healthcare providers, and other public and private organizations in Kuwait that collect or process personal data. It introduces requirements around consent, data minimization, cross-border transfer restrictions, and regulatory oversight.

Key Obligations

Obtain explicit consent before collecting or processing personal data
Use data only for specified, lawful purposes as declared to the data subject
Grant individuals the rights to access, correct, erase, or restrict their data
Restrict cross-border transfers unless the receiving country provides adequate protection

Adopt appropriate technical and organizational safeguards
Notify CITRA of data breaches and comply with any inspection or audit requirements
Prohibit processing of sensitive personal data without legal justification

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Related Regulations

PDPL Data Protection Law UAE

Personal Data Protection Law No. 151 of 2020 (Egypt PDPL)

Personal Data Protection Law No. 24

FAQ

Who regulates this law in Kuwait?

CITRA (Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority) is the designated supervisory authority.

Does the law allow data transfers outside Kuwait?

Only to jurisdictions that provide an adequate level of protection or under CITRA-approved exceptions.

What rights do individuals have under this law?

Individuals can access, correct, delete, or restrict the use of their personal data.

Are businesses required to report data breaches?

Yes. Data controllers must notify CITRA of breaches and cooperate with any enforcement actions.