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Global Privacy Laws Research Library

Every indexed global privacy and data-protection instrument, described by what it covers, why it matters, when to refer to it, which provisions are relevant, how it applies and whether it is currently in force. This library helps you locate the right primary or official source. It does not interpret the law for you.

91 documents indexed · 61 jurisdictions · 70 current instruments

91 with verified research previews · 34 with an official source link · 0 voluntary or strategy documents · 1 proposed or draft

Showing 91 of 91 matching documents (91 indexed)

Japan
ActCurrent

Act on the Protection of Personal Information: Japan (APPI)

Act on the Protection of Personal Information

Current and operative

What it covers

The APPI is Japan's principal comprehensive personal-information law. It regulates the handling of personal information by business operators and establishes rules covering purpose specification, use, acquisition, security, third-party provision, overseas transfers, rights of individuals and enforcement.

The current framework also contains Japan-specific rules for information that has been anonymised, pseudonymised, or otherwise handled differently from ordinary personal data.

Applicability

Applies principally to entities handling personal information under the APPI framework, subject to statutory exclusions and sector-specific rules.

Current validity

CURRENT

Read first

Articles 15–17 → Articles 19–23 → Articles 25–28 → PPC security and international-transfer guidelines.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Profiling
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Employment data
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Anonymisation
  • Accountability
California, United States
LawCurrentCCPA as amended by Proposition 24/CPRA and current CPPA regulations

California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018: CCPA

California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018

Current. The CPPA identifies the current CCPA and regulations as effective January 1, 2026. (California Privacy Protection Agency)

What it covers

The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA) is a comprehensive privacy law that grants California consumers rights over their personal information and imposes obligations on businesses that collect, use, disclose, or sell personal data. The CCPA provides consumers with rights including access, deletion, correction, opt-out of sale or sharing of personal information, and protection against discrimination for exercising privacy rights. The law establishes transparency, notice, accountability, and data governance requirements for covered businesses and is enforced by the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) and the California Attorney General.

Applicability

Coverage is threshold-based and includes statutory exclusions.

Current validity

CURRENT: 2026 framework

Read first

§§1798.100, 105, 106, 110, 115, 120, 121, 140 → current CCPA Regulations → Risk Assessment rules → Cybersecurity Audit rules → ADMT rules.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Sensitive data
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Automated decision-making
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Transparency
  • AI cybersecurity
  • Accountability
California, United States
Amendment ActCurrent (amended)Approved November 2020

California Privacy Rights Act of 2020: CPRA

Current through the CCPA as amended

What it covers

The CPRA strengthened California's consumer privacy framework by adding or expanding:

  • consumer rights
  • sensitive personal information controls

Why it matters

The CPRA created the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) and transferred major regulatory/enforcement responsibilities to that agency (California Privacy Protection Agency)

The modern California framework therefore has three layers:

CCPA 2018

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 1798.100
  • Section 1798.105
  • Section 1798.106
  • Section 1798.120
  • Section 1798.121
  • Section 1798.140
  • Section 1798.185

Applicability

Coverage depends on the CCPA's statutory thresholds, definitions and exclusions.

The CPPA's current materials describe thresholds based, among other things, on:

  • qualifying annual revenue

Current validity

CURRENT: CCPA AS AMENDED BY CPRA AND CURRENT CPPA REGULATIONS.

Read first

CCPA core rights → CPRA amendments → sensitive personal information → sale/sharing → ADMT → risk assessment → cybersecurity audit → CPPA enforcement.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Sensitive data
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Automated decision-making
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Retention
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • AI cybersecurity
  • Accountability
Colorado, United States
RegulationCurrentEffective 1 July 2023

C.R.S. §6-1-1301 et seq.

Colorado Privacy Act: CPA

Colorado Privacy Act

CURRENT

What it covers

The CPA creates a comprehensive consumer privacy framework covering:

  • access
  • correction

Why it matters

Colorado's law is particularly notable for three features:

1. universal opt-out mechanisms;

2. risk-based data-protection assessments;

Applicability

The CPA generally applies to controllers doing business in Colorado or targeting Colorado residents and satisfying statutory processing thresholds/exclusions.

The statute defines a consumer as a Colorado resident acting in an individual or household context. Employment data is generally outside this consumer definition. (Colorado Attorney General)

Current validity

CURRENT: supplemented by CPA Rules.

Read first

§6-1-1303 → §6-1-1304 → §6-1-1306 → §6-1-1308 → profiling → §6-1-1311 → §6-1-1313.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Data portability
  • Profiling
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Employment data
Philippines
LawCurrent

Data Privacy Act of 2012: Philippines

Republic Act No. 10173: Data Privacy Act of 2012

CURRENT

What it covers

The Act regulates personal information processing by:

  • government
  • private-sector organisations

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 13: Sensitive personal information
  • Section 20: Security

Applicability

Government and private-sector organisations within the statutory scope.

Current validity

CURRENT AND OPERATIVE.

The NPC continues to publish the Act and implementing framework as the principal Philippine privacy regime. (National Privacy Commission)

Read first

Sections 11–13 → Sections 16–17 → Section 20 → NPC IRR → automated decisionmaking guidance → breach/security guidance → penalties.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Data portability
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
Kenya
ActCurrentDate of commencement 25 November 2019

Data Protection Act, 2019: Kenya

Data Protection Act No. 24 of 2019

CURRENT

What it covers

The Act regulates:

  • processing
  • controllers/processors

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 25: Processing principles
  • Section 31: DPIA
  • Section 43: Breach notification

Applicability

Public/private controllers and processors within the Act's territorial scope.

Current validity

CURRENT AND IN FORCE.

Read first

Section 25 → rights → controller/processor → Section 31 DPIA → security → Section 43 breach → transfer provisions → 2021 Regulations.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Data portability
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
Vietnam
DecreeHistoricalIssued 17 April 2023

Decree No. 13/2023/ND-CP on Personal Data Protection: Vietnam

Nghị định 13/2023/NĐ-CP

Historical / superseded from 1 January 2026

What it covers

Decree 13/2023 was Vietnam's dedicated personal-data decree and established detailed rules concerning:

  • personal-data categories
  • principles

Why it matters

It remains extremely important for historical and transition research because it was Vietnam's principal comprehensive personal-data instrument before the 2026 statutory framework.

But it should no longer be displayed as the current operative decree.

Refer to it when

  • Studying Vietnam's pre-2026 privacy regime
  • comparing Decree 13 with Decree 356
  • researching historical compliance

Applicability

Historical applicability to organisations and individuals involved in personal-data processing within the decree's framework.

Current validity

SUPERSEDED FROM 1 JANUARY 2026.

Read first

Scope → data categories → consent → rights → processing responsibilities → DPIA → security → cross-border transfer → Article 43 → Decree 356 replacement history.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Impact assessment
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Retention
  • Transparency
Canada
BillHistorical

Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022

Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022: Bill C-27: Canada

An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act

Historical: not enacted

What it covers

Bill C-27 was a proposed federal Canadian digital-regulation package comprising three major components:

1. Consumer Privacy Protection Act

2. Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act

Why it matters

It is important because it represented a proposed transformation of Canada's federal privacy framework and an attempted introduction of federal AI legislation.

However:

It is not Canadian law.

Refer to it when

  • Researching Canadian privacy-law reform
  • studying the proposed replacement for PIPEDA
  • researching AIDA

Applicability

No current statutory applicability.

Current validity

NOT ENACTED.

The relevant current Canadian privacy law should instead be researched separately, particularly PIPEDA and applicable provincial legislation.

Read first

Bill structure → proposed CPPA → proposed Tribunal → AIDA → high-impact AI → risk mitigation → monitoring → enforcement.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Surveillance
  • Transparency
  • AI cybersecurity
  • Accountability
European Union
DirectiveCurrentAdopted 12 July 2002

ePrivacy Directive: Directive 2002/58/EC: European Union

Directive 2002/58/EC concerning the processing of personal data and protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector

In force

What it covers

The ePrivacy Directive is the EU's sector-specific privacy framework for electronic communications.

It regulates:

  • confidentiality of communications

Why it matters

It is frequently misunderstood as a substitute for GDPR.

It is not.

The correct relationship is broadly:

Refer to it when

  • Implementing cookies
  • evaluating tracking technologies
  • analysing terminal-equipment access

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 4: Security
  • Article 5: Confidentiality
  • Article 6: Traffic data
  • Article 9: Location data
  • Article 13: Unsolicited communications
  • Article 15: Restrictions

Applicability

Implemented through Member-State law and directed at covered electronic communications networks/services and related processing.

Current validity

CURRENT AND IN FORCE.

The EU has considered broader ePrivacy reform, but the proposed ePrivacy Regulation was never adopted; the Directive remains the operative text.

Read first

Article 4 → Article 5 → Article 5(3) → Article 6 → Article 9 → Article 13 → Article 15.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Direct marketing
  • Cookies and tracking
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Anonymisation
Switzerland
LawSuperseded

Federal Act on Data Protection: Switzerland

Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP / revDSG)

CURRENT: REVISED FADP IN FORCE SINCE 1 SEPTEMBER 2023

What it covers

The revised FADP regulates:

  • personal data of natural persons
  • processing

Why it matters

The revised FADP is particularly relevant to AI because Switzerland expressly regulates automated individual decisions and the FDPIC has expressly stated that the FADP applies directly to AI-supported processing. (edoeb.admin.ch)

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 5: Definitions
  • Article 6: Processing principles
  • Article 7: Privacy by design/default
  • Article 12: Processing records
  • Article 21: Automated individual decisions
  • Article 22: DPIA
  • Article 24: Data-security breaches
  • Article 25 onward: Data-subject rights

Applicability

Private controllers and processors and federal bodies within the FADP's territorial scope.

Foreign organisations may also fall within the FADP where their processing has effects in Switzerland.

Current validity

CURRENT REVISED FADP: IN FORCE SINCE 1 SEPTEMBER 2023.

The 1992 FADP has been repealed and replaced.

Read first

Articles 5–7 → Article 12 → Articles 19–22 → Article 24 → Articles 25–32 → Data Protection Ordinance.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Data portability
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Data breach
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
United Arab Emirates
Decree-LawCurrentEffective 2 January 2022

Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021: UAE Personal Data Protection Law

Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 Concerning the Protection of Personal Data

CURRENT

What it covers

The federal PDPL governs:

  • personal-data processing
  • sensitive personal data

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 1: Definitions
  • Article 6: Consent
  • Article 11: DPO
  • Article 13 onward: Data-subject rights
  • Article 18: Automated processing
  • Article 20: Personal-data security
  • Article 21: DPIA

Applicability

Covered processing inside the UAE and specified external processing connected with UAE activities, subject to statutory exclusions and sector-specific regimes.

Current validity

CURRENT: IN FORCE SINCE 2 JANUARY 2022. (UAE Legislation)

Read first

Articles 1, 5–6 → Article 11 → Article 18 → Article 20 → Article 21 → Articles 22–23.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
Russian Federation
LawCurrent (amended)

Federal Law No. 152-FZ on Personal Data: Russia

Federal Law No. 152-FZ \"On Personal Data\"

CURRENT / AMENDED

What it covers

Federal Law No. 152-FZ is Russia's principal general personal-data statute.

It regulates:

  • personal-data operators

Why it matters

Russian data protection differs from GDPR-style frameworks in several important areas, particularly:

  • the concept of the personal-data operator
  • data-localisation requirements

Refer to it when

  • Processing Russian citizens' personal data
  • operating a website/service accessible to Russian users
  • analysing localisation

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 5: Principles
  • Article 6: Conditions for processing
  • Article 7: Confidentiality
  • Article 9: Consent
  • Article 10: Special categories
  • Article 11: Biometric personal data
  • Article 12: Cross-border transfers
  • Article 18.1: Operator obligations

Applicability

Russian operators and specified foreign organisations processing Russian personal data within the law's territorial scope.

Current validity

CURRENT / AMENDED.

The operative version is the latest consolidated text, not the original 2006 text.

Read first

Articles 5–12 → Article 18.1 → Article 19 → Article 22 → localisation/cross-border provisions.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Profiling
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data localisation
  • Data protection officer
  • Biometrics
United States
LawCurrent (amended)

HIPAA: United States

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

CURRENT

What it covers

HIPAA regulates Protected Health Information (PHI) and, under the Security Rule, electronic PHI (ePHI).

Provisions / sections covered

  • PRIVACY RULE
  • SECURITY RULE

Applicability

Not every health-data company is covered.

HIPAA applies only to covered entities and their business associates.

Current validity

HHS continues to identify the existing Security Rule as the currently effective rule, while proposed strengthening amendments remain a separate regulatory proposal. (HHS.gov)

Read first

Privacy Rule → Security Rule → Business Associate Rule/BAA → Breach Notification Rule → 45 CFR §§164.308, 310, 312, 400–414.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Data portability
  • Data breach
  • Security
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Health data
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • AI cybersecurity
  • Accountability
Qatar
LawCurrentIssued 3 November 2016

Law No. 13 of 2016 on Personal Data Privacy Protection: Qatar

Law No. 13 of 2016 on Protecting Personal Data Privacy

Current / in application

What it covers

The law governs personal data processed:

  • electronically
  • where collected/extracted for electronic processing

Why it matters

It establishes a relatively concise but broad national privacy framework covering:

  • consent
  • lawful purposes

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 2: Scope
  • Article 3: Privacy right
  • Article 4: Consent / lawful processing
  • Article 5: Individual rights
  • Article 6: Access
  • Article 8: Controller obligations
  • Article 9: Information
  • Article 10: Data quality/retention

Applicability

Covered electronic and mixed processing within the law's scope, including website operators and organisations processing personal information.

Current validity

CURRENT / IN APPLICATION. (Al Meezan)

Read first

Articles 2–6 → Articles 8–13 → Article 16 → international transfer provisions → exemptions/enforcement.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Children's data
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Retention
Türkiye
LawCurrent (amended)Ratified 24 March 2016

Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data: Turkey

Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698

CURRENT: MAJOR 2024 AMENDMENTS

What it covers

KVKK regulates:

  • personal-data processing
  • general principles

Why it matters

The 2024 amendment fundamentally changed two areas:

1. Article 6: special-category personal data

2. Article 9: international transfers

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 4: General principles
  • Article 5: General personal data
  • Article 6: Special categories
  • Article 9: International transfers
  • Article 10: Information obligation
  • Article 11: Data-subject rights
  • Article 12: Security
  • Article 18: Administrative sanctions

Current validity

CURRENT: 2024 AMENDED FRAMEWORK.

The pre-2024 version of Articles 6 and 9 is no longer the current text. The authority confirms the 2024 amendment and subsequent transfer regulations/standard contracts. (KVKK)

Read first

Articles 4–6 → Article 9 → Articles 10–12 → Article 18 → 2024 transfer regulation/standard contracts.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Profiling
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Biometrics
  • Enforcement and penalties
Brazil
LawCurrent

13.709/2018

Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais: LGPD: Brazil

Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais

CURRENT

What it covers

LGPD regulates:

  • personal-data processing
  • sensitive personal data

Why it matters

LGPD is particularly important for AI because Article 20 expressly addresses automated decisions.

The statute is therefore much more than a generic privacy law for AI/data research.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 5: Definitions
  • Article 8
  • Article 20: Automated decisionmaking
  • Article 52

Applicability

Public/private organisations processing personal data within LGPD's territorial criteria.

Current validity

CURRENT.

Brazil continues to publish and maintain the consolidated law through official government sources. (Serviços e Informações do Brasil)

Read first

Articles 5–8 → Articles 17–20 → Article 20 → Articles 33–40 → Articles 46–52.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Anonymisation
Nigeria
LawCurrentSigned 12 June 2023

Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023: NDPA

Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023

CURRENT

What it covers

The NDPA establishes:

  • lawful processing
  • data-subject rights

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 24
  • Section 37: Automated decisionmaking
  • Section 39: Security
  • Section 40: Breach

Applicability

Controllers/processors subject to the NDPA's territorial and processing conditions.

Current validity

CURRENT.

The NDPC continues to list the NDPA as its principal regulatory source. (Nigeria Data Protection Commission)

Read first

Sections 24–30 → Sections 34–38 → Section 37 → Sections 39–40 → Sections 41–43 → 2025 GAID.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Data portability
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
Hong Kong
OrdinanceCurrent (amended)

486

Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance: PDPO: Hong Kong

Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance

Current

What it covers

The PDPO is Hong Kong's principal personal-data privacy law and applies across the public/private data-user environment.

The PCPD characterises it as a principle-based regime centred on six Data Protection Principles in Schedule 1 (PCPD)

The six principles cover:

Why it matters

Its architecture is distinctly principle-based rather than being a long list of prescriptive processing bases.

The six DPPs are designed to govern the personal-data lifecycle from collection through destruction (PCPD)

The Ordinance also operates with:

Refer to it when

  • Employee data
  • customer data
  • biometrics

Provisions / sections covered

  • Schedule 1: Six DPPs
  • Section 18 and related provisions
  • Section 33: Cross-border transfer

Applicability

The Ordinance applies to personal data and covered data users in Hong Kong.

It operates alongside sectoral rules and PCPD codes/guidance.

Current validity

CURRENT.

The Ordinance has undergone substantial amendments, including the 2012 privacy amendments and later anti-doxxing reforms.

Read first

Schedule 1 DPP1–DPP6 → security/DPP4 → access/correction → direct marketing → Section 33 status → enforcement.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Profiling
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Direct marketing
  • Biometrics
  • Employment data
Norway
LawCurrentEntry into force 20 July 2018

LOV-2018-06-15-38

Personal Data Act 2018: Norway

Act relating to the processing of personal data (The Personal Data Act)

Current and in force

What it covers

The Norwegian Personal Data Act is fundamentally a GDPR-plus-national-law instrument.

Section 1 incorporates the EU GDPR into Norwegian law with the adaptations arising from the EEA Agreement. Therefore, most Norwegian privacy questions cannot be answered by reading the Norwegian Act alone: the GDPR and the Personal Data Act operate together. (Lovdata)

The Norwegian Act contains national provisions concerning:

Why it matters

It is the principal instrument for understanding how GDPR operates inside Norway.

Norway is in the EEA rather than the EU, so its legal relationship with GDPR is mediated through the EEA Agreement. Section 1 makes GDPR applicable as Norwegian law, while national provisions supplement it where permitted. (Lovdata)

Refer to it when

  • Applying GDPR to a Norwegian organisation
  • determining Norwegian national derogations
  • employment-data processing

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 1: Incorporation of GDPR
  • Section 5: Children's consent
  • Section 6: Employment
  • Section 12: National identity numbers
  • Section 13: Transfers
  • Chapter 4: Exemptions
  • Chapter 5: DPO

Applicability

The Act and GDPR cover processing by Norwegian establishments and certain non-EEA controllers/processors targeting or monitoring individuals in Norway. (Lovdata)

Current validity

CURRENT AND IN FORCE.

Lovdata identifies entry into force as 20 July 2018 and provides the consolidated Act. The English translation itself is expressly described as unofficial; the Norwegian text is legally authoritative. (Lovdata)

Read first

Section 1 → Sections 2–4 → Sections 5–13 → Chapter 4 → Chapter 5 → GDPR Articles 5–6, 9, 22, 25, 32 and 35.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Children's data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Employment data
Malaysia
Amendment ActCurrent (phased commencement)

A1727

Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2024: Malaysia

Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2024

CURRENT: ALL PROVISIONS COMMENCED IN PHASES BY 1 JUNE 2025

What it covers

The amendments materially change:

  • terminology
  • controller/processor accountability

Current validity

CURRENT: FULLY COMMENCED BY 1 JUNE 2025. (PDP)

Read first

Act 709 → 2024 amendments → biometric data → Section 12A DPO → Section 12B breach → Section 43A portability → current transfer regime.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Data portability
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Biometrics
  • Accountability
Taiwan
LawCurrent (phased commencement)

Personal Data Protection Act: Taiwan

Personal Data Protection Act

CURRENT BASE REGIME; 2025 AMENDMENTS NOT YET FULLY EFFECTIVE

What it covers

Taiwan's PDPA governs:

  • collection
  • processing

Why it matters

The Act is broad and technology-neutral. It applies to both government and non-government agencies and regulates both automated and non-automated data files.

Refer to it when

  • Processing Taiwanese personal data
  • sensitive-data processing
  • employee data

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 1: Purpose
  • Article 2: Definitions
  • Article 3: Data-subject rights
  • Article 6: Sensitive personal data
  • Article 21: International transfers
  • Article 27: Security

Applicability

Government and non-government agencies subject to the Act, with specific territorial rules.

Current validity

CURRENT, but the 11 November 2025 amendment has provisions whose effective date remains to be determined. (PDPC Law)

Read first

Articles 1–3 → Article 6 → Articles 8–13 → Articles 19–21 → Article 27 → 2025 amendment/commencement status.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Profiling
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Biometrics
Thailand
LawCurrent

Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019): Thailand

Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019)

CURRENT / SUBSTANTIVE REGIME OPERATIVE SINCE 1 JUNE 2022

What it covers

The Thai PDPA governs:

  • collection
  • use

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 19: Consent
  • Section 21: Purpose limitation
  • Section 22: Data minimisation
  • Section 23: Transparency
  • Section 24: Alternative lawful bases
  • Section 26: Sensitive personal data
  • Section 37: Controller obligations
  • Section 40: Processor

Applicability

The Act has territorial reach, including specified processing by organisations outside Thailand when they offer goods/services to Thai residents or monitor behaviour in Thailand.

Current validity

CURRENT.

Read first

Sections 19–26 → Sections 28–29 → Sections 30–36 → Sections 37–41 → enforcement.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Data portability
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Data breach
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
Singapore
LawCurrent (amended)

Personal Data Protection Act 2012: Singapore

Personal Data Protection Act 2012

Current. Singapore Statutes Online identifies a current version as of September 2026, including amendments through 2025. (AGC)

What it covers

The PDPA provides Singapore's baseline general personal-data protection framework.

It regulates:

  • collection

Current validity

CURRENT

Read first

Sections 11–18 → Sections 21–26 → Sections 26A–26D → enforcement provisions.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Data subject rights
  • Data portability
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Retention
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Accountability
Argentina
LawCurrentAdopted 4 October 2000

25,326

Personal Data Protection Act No. 25,326: Argentina

Ley de Protección de los Datos Personales

Current and operative

What it covers

Law 25,326 is Argentina's foundational general personal-data protection statute. Its stated purpose is the comprehensive protection of personal data contained in files, records, databases and other technical means of processing, whether public or private databases intended to provide information. It protects the rights of individuals concerning their personal information and expressly connects the regime to the constitutional right of habeas data under Article 43 of the Argentine Constitution. (Infoleg)

The law covers both automated and non-automated processing and defines personal data broadly. It also defines sensitive data, including racial/ethnic origin, political opinions, religious/philosophical convictions, trade-union affiliation, and health or sexual-life information. (Infoleg)

The statute is structured around:

Why it matters

Although enacted in 2000, it remains the foundational Argentine privacy instrument. Its structure is important for understanding Argentina's approach to:

  • purpose limitation
  • data quality

Refer to it when

Use this law when researching:

  • whether collection of personal data is permissible
  • sensitive-data processing

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 1: Object
  • Article 2: Definitions
  • Article 4: Data quality
  • Article 5: Consent
  • Article 6: Information
  • Article 7: Sensitive data
  • Article 9: Security
  • Article 25: Processing by third parties

Applicability

The law applies to the covered public and private databases and personal-data processing within its scope.

It also has dedicated rules concerning international transfers and database users/controllers.

Current validity

CURRENT AND OPERATIVE.

The official Argentine legal database continues to maintain an updated version of Law 25,326 and its implementing framework. (Infoleg)

Read first

Article 1 → Article 2 → Article 4 → Articles 5–9 → Articles 13–16 → Articles 21–27 → Articles 31–32 → habeas data provisions.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
Indonesia
LawCurrentEnacted 17 October 2022

Personal Data Protection Law: Indonesia

Law No. 27 of 2022 on Personal Data Protection

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

The PDP Law regulates:

  • personal-data principles
  • categories of personal data

Why it matters

It is Indonesia's first comprehensive, dedicated national personal-data statute and replaces the previous fragmented framework.

It is especially important for digital businesses, technology companies, financial services, health systems and organisations operating large-scale personal-data ecosystems.

Read first

Definitions/data categories → data-subject rights → lawful processing → controller/processor duties → impact assessment → security/breach → transfers → sanctions.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Children's data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Data portability
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
Peru
LawCurrent

Personal Data Protection Law No. 29,733: Peru

Ley No. 29733, Ley de Protección de Datos Personales

CURRENT AND IN FORCE

What it covers

Law No. 29733 is Peru's principal general personal-data protection statute. Its purpose is to guarantee the fundamental right to protection of personal data recognised under Article 2(6) of the Peruvian Constitution through appropriate processing of personal data. The law applies to public and private processing and establishes principles, lawful processing requirements, individual rights, database regulation, security obligations, international transfers and enforcement. The Peruvian government continues to identify it as the principal privacy statute, while Supreme Decree No. 016-2024-JUS provides its current implementing regulation. (Gob.pe)

The current regulatory framework should therefore be read as:

Law No. 29733 + Supreme Decree No. 016-2024-JUS

Why it matters

Peru's framework is particularly relevant because it combines traditional data-protection principles with provisions concerning automated decisions, security, proportionality and data-subject rights.

The law is also important for Latin-American comparative research because Peru's framework has developed alongside the GDPR-influenced modernization of data-protection laws throughout the region.

Refer to it when

Use this law when researching:

  • lawful processing of personal data
  • consent

Applicability

Public and private entities that process personal data within the territorial scope of Peruvian law.

Current validity

CURRENT.

The current framework comprises both:

Law No. 29733

Read first

Articles 4–10 → Articles 18–25 → security → international transfers → Supreme Decree No. 016-2024-JUS.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
Bahrain
LawCurrent

Personal Data Protection Law No. 30 of 2018: Bahrain

Law No. 30 of 2018 with Respect to Personal Data Protection

Current

What it covers

Bahrain's PDPL provides a comprehensive framework for personal-data processing, including:

  • definitions
  • processing principles

Why it matters

It is Bahrain's principal comprehensive personal-data protection framework.

Its structure is significant because it addresses both:

substantive privacy

Refer to it when

  • Assessing Bahrain personal-data processing
  • sensitive-data processing
  • controller/processor governance

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 1: Definitions
  • Article 10: Register/Data Protection Guardian
  • Article 12: Transfers outside Bahrain
  • Article 13: Exceptions to transfer restrictions

Applicability

The law applies to covered automated and non-automated processing forming part of or intended to form part of a filing system.

The exact territorial/application rules should be assessed against the statutory scope and applicable implementing decisions rather than assuming every Bahrain-related data flow is automatically covered.

Current validity

CURRENT AND OPERATIVE.

The Bahrain Government continues to publish the law as the governing Personal Data Protection Law. The official English version itself notes that the Arabic text prevails in case of discrepancy (Bahrain)

Read first

Article 1 → processing principles → controller/processor obligations → security → Data Protection Guardian/register → Article 12 → Article 13 → rights/enforcement.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
Canada
LawCurrent

S.C. 2000, c. 5

Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act: PIPEDA: Canada

Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act

Current. The Justice Laws Website's current consolidation was updated in 2026. (Department of Justice Canada)

What it covers

PIPEDA establishes Canada's federal private-sector framework for handling personal information in commercial activities.

Its core privacy framework incorporates the 10 principles in Schedule 1, including:

  • accountability

Applicability

PIPEDA generally applies to:

  • private-sector organisations engaged in commercial activities
  • federally regulated businesses

Current validity

CURRENT

Read first

Section 3 → Section 4 → Schedule 1 → Sections 5–10 → Section 10.1 → Sections 11–18.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Automated decision-making
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Retention
  • Transparency
  • Accountability
China
LawCurrentAdopted 20 August 2021

Personal Information Protection Law of the People's Republic of China: PIPL

Personal Information Protection Law of the People's Republic of China

Current. (Supreme People's Procuratorate)

What it covers

The PIPL is China's comprehensive personal-information protection statute.

Its structure covers:

  • general principles

Current validity

CURRENT: effective 1 November 2021

Read first

Articles 3–9 → Articles 13–24 → Articles 28–31 → Articles 37–43 → Articles 51–59 → Articles 66 onward.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
New Zealand
ActCurrent (amended)

31 of 2020

Privacy Act 2020: New Zealand

Privacy Act 2020

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

The Act governs personal information through:

  • 13 Information Privacy Principles
  • access/correction rights

Provisions / sections covered

  • IPPs 1–13: Part 3
  • Section 201: Privacy officers

Applicability

The Act applies broadly to New Zealand agencies, including public/private organisations, with specific rules for overseas agencies.

Current validity

CURRENT. Check the consolidation date of the text you rely on.

The official site expressly states that some amendments from 2026 have not yet been incorporated into the 1 May 2026 version. (Legislation New Zealand)

Read first

IPP1–13 → Sections 39–67 → Sections 112–118 → Part 7 information sharing/matching → Sections 192–200.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Retention
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Accountability
United States federal government
LawCurrent

5 U.S.C. §552a

Privacy Act of 1974: United States

Privacy Act of 1974

CURRENT

What it covers

The Act regulates:

  • collection
  • maintenance

Why it matters

It is one of the foundational federal information-privacy statutes in the United States and remains particularly important for government AI/data systems.

Refer to it when

  • A federal agency holds personal records
  • determining whether information is part of a system of records
  • accessing/amending federal records

Applicability

Federal agencies and covered federal systems of records.

Current validity

CURRENT FEDERAL LAW.

Read first

§552a(a) → (b) → (c) → (d) → (e) → (g) → (o)–(p).

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Data subject rights
  • Government data
  • Transparency
Australia
Amendment ActCurrent (phased commencement)Assent 10 December 2024

128 of 2024

Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024: Australia

Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024

In force, with provisions commencing in phases. (Federal Register of Legislation)

What it covers

The Act implements major reforms across:

  • privacy protections
  • children's privacy

Current validity

CURRENT AMENDING LEGISLATION: PHASED COMMENCEMENT

Read first

Schedule 1 → Parts 4–7 → Part 15: Automated Decisions and Privacy Policies → Schedule 2: Serious Invasions of Privacy → Schedule 3: Doxxing.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Children's data
  • Automated decision-making
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Retention
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Transparency
South Africa
LawCurrent

Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013: POPIA: South Africa

Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013

CURRENT / FULLY IN FORCE SINCE 1 JULY 2021

What it covers

POPIA regulates processing by:

  • public bodies
  • private bodies

Why it matters

POPIA is particularly useful for AI research because it has a dedicated provision concerning automated decisionmaking.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 19: Security safeguards
  • Section 22: Security compromises
  • Section 69: Direct marketing
  • Section 71: Automated decisionmaking
  • Section 72: Transborder information flows

Applicability

Public/private bodies processing personal information subject to the Act.

Current validity

CURRENT / FULLY IN FORCE.

Read first

Conditions 1–8 → Section 19 → Section 22 → Section 69 → Section 71 → Section 72.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Data breach
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
Israel
LawCurrent (amended)

Protection of Privacy Law 5741-1981: Israel

Protection of Privacy Law, 5741-1981

Current: materially amended by Amendment No. 13

What it covers

Israel's Protection of Privacy Law is the principal national law governing privacy and databases.

It regulates:

  • personal information

Why it matters

Amendment No. 13 was a major structural reform.

The Privacy Protection Authority describes it as expanding the definition of personal information, establishing stronger administrative enforcement powers, introducing significant administrative fines and creating new DPO and database-management obligations (Gov.il)

Refer to it when

  • Database governance
  • information security
  • biometric processing

Applicability

Public and private organisations operating databases/processing personal information within the Israeli framework.

Current validity

CURRENT: AS AMENDED BY AMENDMENT NO. 13.

The current Knesset record marks the law as valid, with Amendment 13 as the latest direct amendment (Knesset)

Read first

Definitions → database controller/holder → processing → security → DPO → registration/notification → enforcement → Amendment 13.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Data breach
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Biometrics
  • Health data
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Registration and notification
United Kingdom
FrameworkCurrent (amended)UK GDPR + Data Protection Act 2018

UK GDPR + Data Protection Act 2018: United Kingdom

CURRENT: substantially amended by DUAA 2025

What it covers

The UK's data-protection framework is composed principally of:

1. UK GDPR

2. Data Protection Act 2018

Why it matters

The UK framework is particularly important for AI because of:

  • Article 22 automated decisionmaking
  • transparency

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 5
  • Article 6
  • Article 9
  • Article 22
  • Article 25
  • Article 30
  • Article 32
  • Article 35

Applicability

The UK GDPR/DPA framework applies to UK-established controllers/processors and has specified extraterritorial reach for certain third-country processing. The DUAA explanatory material confirms its data-protection amendments extend across the UK, subject to specified exceptions. (Legislation.gov.uk)

Current validity

CURRENT: AS AMENDED BY DUAA 2025.

Read first

UK GDPR Articles 5–9 → Articles 12–22 → Article 22 → Article 25 → Article 32 → Articles 33–35 → Articles 44–49 → DPA 2018 Parts 2–4 → DUAA 2025 amendments/commencement.

  • AI: Very High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Children's data
  • Data subject rights
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
Virginia, United States
LawCurrent

Va. Code §§59.1-571 et seq.

Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act: VCDPA

CURRENT

What it covers

The VCDPA regulates covered businesses that control/process personal data of Virginia consumers and establishes:

  • consumer rights
  • controller duties

Why it matters

Virginia was one of the first US state privacy statutes to combine a GDPR-influenced controller/processor model with specific consumer rights and a right to opt out of certain profiling.

Applicability

The current §59.1-576 applies to persons that:

  • conduct business in Virginia or target Virginia residents; and
  • process at least 100,000 consumers' personal data; or

Current validity

CURRENT: CODE VERSION CHECKED 20 SEPTEMBER 2026. (law.lis.virginia.gov)

Read first

§59.1-576 → §59.1-577 → §59.1-578 → §59.1-579 → §59.1-580 → profiling/sensitive-data provisions.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Data portability
  • Profiling
  • Security
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Transparency
Bangladesh
LawCurrentEnacted 10 April 2026

Act No. 63 of 2026

Bangladesh Personal Data Protection Act, 2026

CURRENT / IN FORCE (deemed from 6 November 2025; ss. 23 and 31–35 commence later by notification)

What it covers

The Act (published in Bengali) is Bangladesh's comprehensive data-protection law. It replaces the 2025 Personal Data Protection Ordinance and its 2026 amendment. It applies to citizens, residents and visitors in Bangladesh, to processing inside Bangladesh, and to processing outside Bangladesh connected with offering goods or services to, or monitoring, people in Bangladesh. It uses the terms data fiduciary (data trustee) and processor, defines categories such as financial data, and regulates lawful processing, data-principal rights, cross-border transfers and penalties.

Why it matters

It brings Bangladesh into the group of jurisdictions with an extraterritorial, GDPR-style data-protection statute, relevant to any business serving or monitoring people in Bangladesh.

Refer to it when

Use it when processing personal data of people in Bangladesh, offering services into Bangladesh, transferring ID, biometric, genetic or criminal-record data abroad, or assessing penalties and the staged commencement of enforcement provisions.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 1 – Title, scope and commencement
  • Section 2 – Definitions

Applicability

Data fiduciaries and processors processing personal data in Bangladesh or about people in Bangladesh, including from abroad.

Current validity

CURRENT. Deemed in force from 6 November 2025; complaints and penalty sections (ss. 23, 31–35) await Government notification. The supplied text is in Bengali. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 1 (scope and commencement) → Section 2 (definitions) → processing and rights provisions → cross-border transfer rules → penalties (ss. 31–35).

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Lawful basis
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Controller and processor
  • Biometrics
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Surveillance
Brunei Darussalam
LawCurrentPublished 8 January 2025 (Government Gazette)

Brunei Darussalam Personal Data Protection Order, 2025

ENACTED / COMMENCEMENT BY GAZETTE NOTIFICATION

What it covers

The Order has 65 sections and six schedules. It governs how organisations collect, use and disclose personal data: consent and deemed consent, purpose limitation, notification of purposes, access and correction, accuracy, protection, retention limits, transfer outside Brunei, data-breach assessment and notification, data portability, and a Do-Not-Call style framework for specified messages, with enforcement by AITI.

Why it matters

It is Brunei's first general personal-data law for the private sector, closely modelled on Singapore's PDPA approach.

Refer to it when

Use it when an organisation in Brunei collects or uses personal data, transfers it abroad, suffers a data breach, or sends marketing messages.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 1 – Citation and commencement

Applicability

Private-sector organisations collecting, using or disclosing personal data in Brunei Darussalam.

Current validity

ENACTED. Commencement depends on a Gazette notification; the supplied Gazette does not itself show the commencement date. Confirm current commencement with AITI before relying on specific obligations. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 1 (commencement) → interpretation → consent obligations → protection and retention → transfer limitation → breach notification → enforcement.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Data subject rights
  • Data portability
  • Data breach
  • Retention
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Registration and notification
Kuwait
RegulationCurrentVersion 1.8 (as supplied)

Kuwait CITRA Data Privacy Protection Regulation

ISSUED SECTORAL REGULATION (effective date not stated in supplied text)

What it covers

A sectoral privacy regulation for service providers licensed by CITRA, including telecommunications and IT providers. It covers lawful collection and processing of users' personal data, consent, users' rights, data security, appointment of a data protection officer, disclosure to third parties, and notification of personal-data breaches to CITRA within 72 hours.

Why it matters

Kuwait has no general data-protection statute; this regulation is the main binding privacy framework for the telecom and ICT sector.

Refer to it when

Use it for telecom or ICT providers in Kuwait handling customer data, designing consent, appointing a DPO or responding to a breach.

Applicability

CITRA-regulated telecommunications and IT service providers in Kuwait; not a general law for all sectors.

Current validity

ISSUED. The supplied version (V1.8) does not state its issue or effective date; check CITRA for the current version. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Scope and definitions → lawful processing and consent → users' rights → security and DPO → breach notification.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Data breach
  • Data protection officer
Lebanon
LawCurrentEnacted 10 October 2018 (Baabda)

Law No. 81

Lebanon Law No. 81 Relating to Electronic Transactions and Personal Data

CURRENT / IN FORCE (three months after Official Gazette publication)

What it covers

A dual-subject law. It gives legal effect to electronic writing, documents and signatures, regulates certification and electronic-service providers, e-commerce, electronic payments and bank cards, the .lb domain and intermediary liability. Its personal-data part (Articles 85 onward) sets principles for processing personal data, data-subject rights, declaration or licensing of processing with the Ministry of Economy and Trade, and penalties.

Why it matters

It is Lebanon's only general law containing personal-data protection rules.

Refer to it when

Use it for electronic contracts and signatures in Lebanon, e-commerce, or any processing of personal data in Lebanon.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 1 – Definitions
  • Part V – Personal data (Articles 85 onward)

Applicability

Persons and entities conducting electronic transactions or processing personal data in Lebanon.

Current validity

CURRENT. Signed 10 October 2018; the law states it enters into force three months after publication in the Official Gazette. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Article 1 (definitions) → electronic writing and signature provisions → Part V personal data (Articles 85 onward) → penalties.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: High
  • Data subject rights
  • Enforcement and penalties
Iran
LawCurrent

Electronic Commerce Act of the Islamic Republic of Iran

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

The Act sets the legal framework for electronic commerce: legal recognition of data messages, originators and addressees, secure information systems and methods, simple and secure electronic signatures, certification service providers, consumer protection in distance contracts, protection of personal (private) data messages, intellectual property in electronic form, and offences and penalties.

Why it matters

It is the main Iranian statute containing rules on protecting personal data in electronic form.

Refer to it when

Use it for electronic contracts, e-signatures, online consumer contracts or handling personal data messages in Iran.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 1 – Scope
  • Article 2 – Definitions

Applicability

Electronic commerce and data-message transactions in Iran.

Current validity

CURRENT. The supplied English translation does not show its approval date; it is listed here under 2004. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Article 1 (scope) → Article 2 (definitions) → electronic signature provisions → consumer protection → personal data protection → offences.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Moderate
  • Cyber: High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Enforcement and penalties
Trinidad and Tobago
LawCurrent

Act No. 13 of 2011

Trinidad and Tobago Data Protection Act, 2011

PARTLY IN FORCE (commencement by Presidential Proclamation)

What it covers

An Act to provide for the protection of personal privacy and information. It sets general privacy principles, establishes an Information Commissioner, regulates the collection, use and disclosure of personal information by public bodies and by private organisations, covers sensitive personal information and transfers outside Trinidad and Tobago, and amends the Freedom of Information Act.

Why it matters

It is Trinidad and Tobago's data-protection statute, but much of it depends on proclamation, so its operative reach must be checked.

Refer to it when

Use it when handling personal information in Trinidad and Tobago, after confirming which Parts have been proclaimed.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 1 – Short title and commencement
  • Section 6 – General privacy principles

Applicability

Public bodies and private organisations in Trinidad and Tobago, to the extent the relevant Parts are proclaimed.

Current validity

PARTLY IN FORCE. Commencement is by Proclamation; the supplied 2011 text does not show which Parts have been proclaimed. Confirm before relying on specific obligations. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 1 (commencement) → Section 2 (definitions) → Section 6 (privacy principles) → Information Commissioner → public bodies → private organisations.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: Low
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Retention
  • Accountability
Guyana
LawCurrentPublished 16 August 2023 (Official Gazette, Extraordinary)

Act No. 18 of 2023

Guyana Data Protection Act, 2023

ENACTED / COMMENCEMENT BY MINISTERIAL ORDER

What it covers

Guyana's comprehensive data-protection statute. It regulates the processing of personal data by data controllers and processors, sets data-protection principles, special rules for sensitive personal data, data-subject rights including access, rectification, erasure and objection, security and breach obligations, transfers outside Guyana, and supervision and enforcement by a Data Protection Commissioner.

Why it matters

It gives Guyana a modern GDPR-style data-protection framework.

Refer to it when

Use it for processing personal data in Guyana, data-subject requests, breaches and international transfers.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 1 – Short title and commencement

Applicability

Data controllers and processors processing personal data in Guyana.

Current validity

ENACTED. Published 16 August 2023; commencement depends on a ministerial order, which the supplied Gazette does not show. The PDF here is a compressed copy of the Gazette. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 1 (commencement) → definitions → principles → data-subject rights → controller and processor duties → transfers → Commissioner and enforcement.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Data portability
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Controller and processor
  • Enforcement and penalties
Jamaica
LawCurrent (phased commencement)Enacted 2020

Jamaica Data Protection Act, 2020

CURRENT / IN FORCE (phased commencement)

What it covers

Jamaica's comprehensive data-protection statute. It sets eight data-protection standards for data controllers, gives data subjects rights of access, to prevent processing, to object to direct marketing and in relation to automated decisions, requires controllers to register with the Information Commissioner and in some cases appoint a data protection officer, regulates transfers outside Jamaica and security breaches, and provides for enforcement notices, assessments and offences.

Why it matters

It is a GDPR-influenced regime applying to controllers in Jamaica and to some controllers outside Jamaica that process data there.

Refer to it when

Use it for processing personal data in Jamaica, registration with the Information Commissioner, data-subject requests, breaches or direct marketing.

Applicability

Data controllers established in Jamaica, or using equipment in Jamaica to process personal data.

Current validity

CURRENT. Commencement was phased by order; check the Office of the Information Commissioner for the dates of individual provisions. The supplied PDF is a scanned copy. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Preliminary and definitions → data-protection standards → data-subject rights → registration → Information Commissioner and enforcement.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Lawful basis
  • Data subject rights
  • Automated decision-making
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Direct marketing
  • Retention
  • Enforcement and penalties
Zimbabwe
LawCurrent (amended)Current effective version As at 11 March 2022 (ZimLII consolidated text)

Act 5 of 2021

Zimbabwe Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07]

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

A combined data-protection and cybersecurity statute. It designates POTRAZ as Data Protection Authority and provides for a Cyber Security Centre; sets rules on data quality and processing of sensitive, genetic, biometric and health data; imposes controller and processor duties including security and breach notification; gives data subjects rights including protection against decisions based solely on automated processing; regulates transborder flows; and amends the Criminal Law Code to create cybercrime offences and the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act for electronic evidence.

Why it matters

It is Zimbabwe's only general data-protection law and its main cybercrime statute.

Refer to it when

Use it for processing personal data in Zimbabwe, cross-border transfers, breaches, automated decisions or cybercrime and electronic evidence.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Part II – Data Protection Authority (ss. 5–6)
  • Part IV – Processing rules (ss. 8–12)
  • Part V – Duties (ss. 13–24)
  • Section 25 – Automated decisions
  • Part VII – Transborder flows (ss. 28–29)
  • Part XI – Amendments (ss. 35–37)

Applicability

Data controllers and processors, public and private, processing personal data in Zimbabwe.

Current validity

CURRENT. The PDF is the ZimLII / Laws.Africa consolidated text as at 11 March 2022, not the original Gazette; later amendments or regulations may exist. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Part I (ss. 1–4) → Part II Authority → Part IV processing rules → Part V duties and breach notification → Part VI rights and automated decisions → Part VII transborder flows → Part XI cybercrime amendments.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Automated decision-making
  • Data breach
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Controller and processor
  • Biometrics
  • Health data
  • AI cybersecurity
Georgia
LawCurrent (amended)

No 3144-XI-Xმს-Xმპ, 14 June 2023

Law of Georgia on Personal Data Protection

CURRENT / IN FORCE (Articles 1–87 from 1 March 2024)

What it covers

Georgia's comprehensive data-protection law, closely modelled on the GDPR. It applies to automated processing and filing-system processing in Georgia, and to controllers not established in Georgia that use technical means in Georgia (other than for transit). It sets processing principles and legal grounds, special-category data rules, data-subject rights, controller and processor duties, incident notification, transfers abroad, the powers of the Personal Data Protection Service, and administrative fines.

Why it matters

It replaced Georgia's 2011 law with a modern GDPR-style regime, relevant to anyone processing data in Georgia or using technical means there.

Refer to it when

Use it for processing personal data in Georgia, data-subject requests, incident notification, transfers out of Georgia or fines imposed by the Personal Data Protection Service.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 2 – Scope
  • Chapter on data-subject rights
  • Administrative offences (to Article 87)
  • Article 90 – Entry into force

Applicability

Controllers and processors in Georgia, and non-established controllers using technical means in Georgia.

Current validity

CURRENT / IN FORCE. The supplied copy is a consolidated version for 02/04/2025–13/05/2025 and notes it is not the latest edition; amendments of 5 September 2024 and 6 February 2025 are listed. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Article 2 (scope) → definitions and principles → data-subject rights → controller duties and incidents → sanctions → Article 90.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Data portability
  • Automated decision-making
  • Controller and processor
  • Enforcement and penalties
Armenia
LawCurrent (amended)Adopted 18 May 2015

Law of the Republic of Armenia on Protection of Personal Data

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

Armenia's general data-protection law. It regulates how state and local bodies, organisations and natural persons process personal data, sets the main concepts (personal data, processing, transfer to third parties), processing principles and legal grounds, special-category and biometric data, data-subject rights of access, rectification and blocking, transfers to third parties and to other countries, and the powers of the authorised body.

Why it matters

It is the primary privacy law for Armenia and the basis for supervision by Armenia's Personal Data Protection Agency.

Refer to it when

Use it for processing personal data in Armenia, responding to data-subject requests (with five-day response duties in some cases), or transferring data outside Armenia.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 1 – Subject matter
  • Article 3 – Main concepts
  • Article 26 – Transfer to third parties
  • Article 28 – Final part

Applicability

State and local bodies, organisations and natural persons processing personal data in Armenia.

Current validity

CURRENT / IN FORCE. The supplied copy is taken from the legislation portal and does not state its consolidation date; check for later amendments. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Article 1 (scope) → Article 3 (concepts) → principles and legal grounds → data-subject rights → Article 26 (transfers).

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Data subject rights
  • Controller and processor
  • Biometrics
Albania
LawCurrentApproved 19 December 2024 (promulgated by Decree No. 5 of 15 January 2025)

Law No. 124/2024

Albania Law No. 124/2024 on Personal Data Protection

CURRENT / IN FORCE (15 days after publication; some articles two years after publication)

What it covers

Albania's new data-protection law, stated to be fully aligned with the GDPR and with Directive (EU) 2016/680 on law-enforcement processing. It applies to controllers and processors established in Albania and to non-established controllers offering goods or services to, or monitoring, people in Albania. It covers principles, legal bases, data-subject rights, controller and processor duties, transfers, supervision, sanctions and a part on processing by competent authorities for criminal-law purposes.

Why it matters

It replaces Law No. 9887 of 2008 and brings Albania's regime into line with EU law ahead of EU accession, relevant to businesses serving people in Albania.

Refer to it when

Use it for GDPR-equivalent compliance in Albania, extraterritorial reach, law-enforcement processing, or the staged entry into force of specific articles.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Article 101 – Entry into force

Applicability

Controllers and processors established in Albania, and non-established controllers targeting or monitoring people in Albania; competent authorities for criminal-law processing.

Current validity

CURRENT / IN FORCE. The supplied English text does not state the Official Gazette publication date, so the two-year date for the delayed articles should be checked. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Articles 3–4 (scope) → definitions and principles → rights → controller duties → transfers → Article 101.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Data subject rights
  • Automated decision-making
  • Controller and processor
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Surveillance
  • Accountability
New Zealand
LawCurrent (amended)Assent 2 July 2015

Public Act 2015 No 63

New Zealand Harmful Digital Communications Act 2015

CURRENT / IN FORCE (version as at 9 March 2022)

What it covers

The Act aims to deter, prevent and reduce harm caused by digital communications and to give victims quick and efficient redress. It sets ten communication principles, establishes an Approved Agency to receive and resolve complaints, lets the District Court make orders (such as take-down orders) against harmful digital communications, gives online content hosts a safe-harbour process, and creates offences including causing harm by posting a digital communication.

Why it matters

It is New Zealand's main law on online harassment, intimate image abuse and harmful posts, and sets notice-and-takedown duties for online content hosts.

Refer to it when

Use it for online harassment or harmful posts in New Zealand, take-down requests, content-host liability or the criminal offence of posting harmful digital communications.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 6 – Communication principles
  • Section 22 – Causing harm by posting digital communication

Applicability

Individuals posting digital communications, online content hosts and victims of harmful communications in New Zealand.

Current validity

CURRENT / IN FORCE. The supplied version is as at 9 March 2022; check for later amendments. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 3 (purpose) → section 6 (principles) → Approved Agency → court orders → section 22 → content-host safe harbour.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: Moderate
South Africa
LawCurrentAssent 26 May 2021 (Government Gazette No. 44651, 1 June 2021)

Act No. 19 of 2020

South Africa Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020

IN FORCE (commences on dates fixed by the President by proclamation)

What it covers

The Act creates offences relating to cybercrime (unlawful access, interception of data, interference with data and systems, cyber fraud, forgery, extortion and malicious communications), criminalises disclosure of harmful data messages including intimate images, and provides for protection orders, jurisdiction, search, access and seizure powers, expedited preservation of data, mutual assistance, a 24/7 point of contact, and duties on electronic communications service providers and financial institutions to report and preserve information.

Why it matters

It is South Africa's main cybercrime statute, sitting alongside POPIA, and imposes reporting duties on service providers and financial institutions.

Refer to it when

Use it for cyber incidents and offences in South Africa, harmful data messages, police powers to obtain data, or reporting duties of electronic communications service providers and financial institutions.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Chapter 1 – Cybercrimes
  • Chapter 2 – Malicious communications

Applicability

All persons in South Africa, with extraterritorial jurisdiction rules, plus specific duties on service providers and financial institutions.

Current validity

IN FORCE BY PROCLAMATION. The supplied Gazette copy does not show which sections have been proclaimed; check the commencement proclamation for each provision. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Definitions → Chapter 1 offences → Chapter 2 malicious communications → investigation powers → reporting obligations.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Moderate
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Impact assessment
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • AI cybersecurity
Canada
LawCurrent (phased commencement)

S.C. 2010, c. 23

Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), S.C. 2010, c. 23

CURRENT / IN FORCE (consolidation current to 21 September 2026)

What it covers

CASL regulates commercial electronic messages (email, text and similar). Sending one requires consent (express or implied), sender identification and a working unsubscribe mechanism. It also prohibits altering transmission data and installing computer programs on another person's device without consent, and amends the CRTC Act, the Competition Act, PIPEDA and the Telecommunications Act to address false or misleading electronic messages and address harvesting.

Why it matters

It is one of the strictest anti-spam regimes in the world and applies to messages sent to or accessed from computers in Canada, with large administrative monetary penalties.

Refer to it when

Use it for email or SMS marketing to Canadians, consent and unsubscribe design, software installation consent or CRTC enforcement.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 6 – Unsolicited commercial electronic messages
  • Section 7 – Alteration of transmission data
  • Section 8 – Installation of computer programs
  • Section 10 – Consent

Applicability

Anyone sending commercial electronic messages to, or installing programs on, computer systems in Canada.

Current validity

CURRENT / IN FORCE. Some amendments listed in the consolidation were not in force on 21 September 2026; they appear under "Amendments Not in Force". Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 1 (definitions) → section 6 → section 10 (consent) → sections 7–8 → penalties.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Consent
  • Direct marketing
  • Enforcement and penalties
United Kingdom
LawCurrent (amended)Assent 29 November 2016

2016 c. 25

UK Investigatory Powers Act 2016

IN FORCE (supplied copy is the Act as enacted)

What it covers

The Act sets out when public authorities may interfere with privacy to obtain communications. Part 1 sets general privacy duties and offences of unlawful interception and unlawful obtaining of communications data. Later Parts regulate targeted interception, communications data acquisition and retention notices, equipment interference, bulk interception, bulk acquisition, bulk equipment interference and bulk personal datasets, with a double-lock of Secretary of State and Judicial Commissioner approval, oversight by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner and duties on telecommunications operators.

Why it matters

It is the UK's central surveillance law and directly affects telecom operators and online services that may receive warrants, retention notices or technical capability notices.

Refer to it when

Use it for UK lawful interception, communications-data requests and retention, technical capability notices, or how surveillance interacts with privacy rights.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 2 – General duties in relation to privacy
  • Section 11 – Unlawful obtaining of communications data
  • Part 2 – Targeted interception warrants

Applicability

UK intelligence and law-enforcement bodies, and telecommunications and postal operators subject to warrants and notices.

Current validity

IN FORCE. The supplied copy is the Act as enacted and does not include later amendments, such as those made by the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Act 2024; check the current revised text. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 1 (overview) → section 2 (privacy duties) → Part 1 offences → Part 2 interception → Parts 3–4 communications data → Part 8 oversight.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Government data
  • Retention
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Surveillance
United Kingdom
LawCurrent (amended)

1990 c. 18

UK Computer Misuse Act 1990

IN FORCE (supplied copy is the Act as enacted)

What it covers

The Act creates the UK's core computer offences: unauthorised access to computer material (section 1), unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate further offences (section 2) and unauthorised modification of computer material (section 3). It sets territorial scope and significant links with domestic jurisdiction, rules for inchoate offences, proceedings, search warrants, extradition, application to Scotland and Northern Ireland, and interpretation.

Why it matters

It is the foundation of UK cybercrime law, used against hacking and malware, and is relevant to security testing and incident response.

Refer to it when

Use it for UK hacking or unauthorised-access offences, assessing whether security research or access is authorised, or jurisdiction over cross-border computer crime.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 1 – Unauthorised access to computer material
  • Section 2 – Unauthorised access with intent
  • Section 3 – Unauthorised modification
  • Section 17 – Interpretation

Applicability

Any person committing computer-misuse offences with a significant link to the UK.

Current validity

IN FORCE, AS AMENDED. The supplied copy is the original 1990 text; later Acts added offences (for example sections 3ZA and 3A) and changed penalties, so check the current revised text. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 1 → section 3 → section 17 (interpretation) → sections 4–5 (jurisdiction).

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Moderate
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Enforcement and penalties
United Kingdom
LawCurrent

2022 c. 46

Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

Part 1 gives ministers power to specify security requirements for relevant connectable products made available to UK consumers, and sets duties for manufacturers, importers and distributors: complying with the requirements, statements of compliance, investigating and acting on compliance failures, and keeping records. It provides enforcement notices, recall notices and monetary penalties. Part 2 amends the Electronic Communications Code and related law on the installation and sharing of telecommunications infrastructure.

Why it matters

It is the UK's baseline security law for consumer smart and internet-connected products, backed by regulations that ban universal default passwords and require vulnerability-reporting and security-update information.

Refer to it when

Use it when making, importing or selling connectable consumer products in the UK, or for rights over telecoms infrastructure on land.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Part 1 Chapter 1 – Security requirements
  • Part 1 Chapter 2 – Duties of relevant persons
  • Part 1 Chapter 3 – Enforcement
  • Part 2 – Telecommunications infrastructure

Applicability

Manufacturers, importers and distributors of consumer connectable products in the UK; telecoms operators and landowners for Part 2.

Current validity

CURRENT. Royal Assent 6 December 2022; the product security regime applies from 29 April 2024. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Sections 1-3 (security requirements) → duties of manufacturers → enforcement → Part 2.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Low
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Enforcement and penalties
United Kingdom
LawCurrent (phased commencement)

2023 c. 50

Online Safety Act 2023

CURRENT (phased commencement)

What it covers

The Act defines regulated user-to-user and search services, including services outside the UK with links to the UK. Part 3 imposes duties of care: illegal content risk assessments and safety duties, children's risk assessments and safety duties, content reporting and complaints, freedom of expression and privacy duties, and extra duties for categorised services. It covers pornography providers' age-assurance duties, Ofcom's codes of practice, information powers, fees and enforcement, and creates offences such as false and threatening communications, cyberflashing and sharing intimate images.

Why it matters

It is the UK's main platform-regulation law, with fines up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.

Refer to it when

Use it for duties of online platforms or search services with UK users, age assurance, children's online safety or the online communications offences.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Part 2 – Key definitions
  • Part 3 – Duties of care
  • Part 5 – Pornography providers
  • Part 7 – Ofcom's powers
  • Part 10 – Communications offences

Applicability

Providers of user-to-user, search and pornography services with links to the UK.

Current validity

CURRENT. Royal Assent 26 October 2023; duties apply in phases as Ofcom codes come into force. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Sections 1-5 → Part 3 Chapter 2 (user-to-user duties) → Part 5 → Part 7.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Moderate
  • Cyber: Low
  • Children's data
  • Enforcement and penalties
Australia
LawCurrent (amended)

No. 129, 2003 (Compilation No. 10, 10 March 2016)

Spam Act 2003

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

The Act prohibits sending, or causing to be sent, unsolicited commercial electronic messages (email, SMS, MMS and instant messages) that have an Australian link. Messages need the recipient's consent, accurate sender identification and contact details, and a working unsubscribe facility honoured within five working days. It bans supplying, acquiring or using address-harvesting software and harvested lists, and provides civil penalties, injunctions and enforceable undertakings.

Why it matters

It is Australia's main electronic marketing law, applying alongside the Privacy Act 1988.

Refer to it when

Use it for email or SMS marketing to Australians, consent for commercial messages or unsubscribe rules.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Part 2 – Rules about commercial electronic messages
  • Part 3 – Address-harvesting software
  • Part 4 – Civil penalties
  • Schedule 1 / Schedule 2

Applicability

Anyone sending commercial electronic messages with an Australian link.

Current validity

CURRENT. The supplied copy is Compilation No. 10 (10 March 2016); check later amendments. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 6 (definitions) → sections 16-18 → Schedule 2 (consent) → Part 4.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: Low
  • Consent
  • Direct marketing
  • Enforcement and penalties
Australia
LawCurrent (amended)

No. 76, 2021 (Compilation No. 4, 12 September 2026)

Online Safety Act 2021

CURRENT (amended)

What it covers

The Act sets up the eSafety Commissioner and complaint-based removal schemes for cyber-bullying material targeted at Australian children, cyber-abuse material targeted at Australian adults, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images. It includes the online content scheme for class 1 and class 2 material, blocking of abhorrent violent conduct material, Basic Online Safety Expectations with reporting requirements, industry codes and standards, and the social media minimum age obligations.

Why it matters

It is Australia's central online-safety law and the basis of eSafety's removal notices and the under-16 social media restriction.

Refer to it when

Use it for platform takedown notices in Australia, cyber-abuse complaints, image-based abuse, or age restrictions on social media.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Part 2 – eSafety Commissioner
  • Part 4 – Basic Online Safety Expectations
  • Part 4A – Social media minimum age

Applicability

Social media, messaging, hosting and other online service providers with Australian end-users.

Current validity

CURRENT. The supplied copy is Compilation No. 4, in force on 12 September 2026. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Part 1 definitions → Part 4A → Parts 3 and 5-7 → Part 4.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Moderate
  • Cyber: Low
  • Children's data
Australia
LawCurrent (amended)

No. 47, 1997 (Compilation No. 117, 4 June 2026)

Telecommunications Act 1997

CURRENT (amended)

What it covers

The Act is Australia's core telecommunications statute. It covers carrier licensing and carriage service providers, industry codes and standards, consumer safeguards, and Part 13, which restricts the use and disclosure of information and communications by carriers and service providers, with permitted exceptions. Part 14 covers national interest matters and security obligations, and Part 15 sets the industry assistance framework (technical assistance requests and notices).

Why it matters

Part 13 is a key confidentiality rule for telecoms data in Australia; Parts 14 and 15 set security and law-enforcement assistance duties.

Refer to it when

Use it for disclosure of telecoms customer information, security duties of carriers, or agency requests for technical assistance.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Part 3 – Carrier licensing
  • Part 6 – Industry codes and standards
  • Part 13 – Protection of communications
  • Part 14 – National interest matters
  • Part 15 – Industry assistance

Applicability

Carriers, carriage service providers and others in the Australian telecoms industry.

Current validity

CURRENT. The supplied copy is Compilation No. 117 (4 June 2026), in 3 volumes. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Part 1 → Part 13 → Part 14 → Part 15.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: High
  • Security
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Registration and notification
Australia
LawCurrent (amended)

No. 29, 2018 (Compilation No. 9, 4 June 2026)

Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018

CURRENT (amended)

What it covers

The Act defines critical infrastructure assets across sectors including energy, communications, data storage and processing, financial services, water, health, transport and food. It creates the Register of Critical Infrastructure Assets, critical infrastructure risk management programs, mandatory cyber security incident reporting, enhanced cyber security obligations for systems of national significance, ministerial directions, and last-resort government assistance powers.

Why it matters

It is Australia's main critical-infrastructure security law, with strict deadlines for reporting significant cyber incidents.

Refer to it when

Use it when an entity may own or operate a critical infrastructure asset in Australia, or for cyber incident reporting duties.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Part 2 – Register of Critical Infrastructure Assets
  • Part 2A – Risk management programs
  • Part 2B – Notification of cyber security incidents
  • Part 2C – Enhanced cyber security obligations
  • Part 3A – Responding to serious incidents

Applicability

Owners and operators of critical infrastructure assets in Australia.

Current validity

CURRENT. The supplied copy is Compilation No. 9 (4 June 2026). Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Part 1 definitions → Part 2B → Part 2A → Part 2.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Low
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Data breach
  • Security
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • AI cybersecurity
United States
LawCurrent

18 U.S.C. §§ 2701-2713 (2024 edition)

Stored Communications Act – 18 U.S.C. Chapter 121

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

Chapter 121 makes it an offence to access a facility providing electronic communication service without authorisation and obtain stored communications. It limits providers' voluntary disclosure of the contents of communications and customer records, sets the process for government to compel disclosure (warrant, court order under section 2703(d) or subpoena), provides for backup preservation and delayed notice, and gives a civil action. Section 2713 (CLOUD Act) requires providers to preserve and disclose data within their control regardless of where it is stored.

Why it matters

It is the main US law on government and private access to emails and other stored electronic communications.

Refer to it when

Use it for law-enforcement requests to US providers, disclosure of customer communications, or access to data stored abroad by US providers.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 2701 – Unlawful access
  • Section 2702 – Voluntary disclosure
  • Section 2703 – Required disclosure
  • Section 2707 – Civil action
  • Section 2713 – Data held abroad

Applicability

Providers of electronic communication and remote computing services, and US government entities.

Current validity

CURRENT. The supplied copy is the 2024 edition of the United States Code. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 2711 (definitions) → 2701 → 2702 → 2703 → 2713.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Surveillance
United States
LawCurrent

18 U.S.C. § 2710 (in Chapter 121)

Video Privacy Protection Act – 18 U.S.C. § 2710

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

Section 2710 bars a video tape service provider from knowingly disclosing personally identifiable information about a consumer, meaning information identifying a person as having requested or obtained specific video materials or services. Disclosure is allowed with informed, written consent (which may be electronic), under a warrant or court order, to the consumer, for ordinary course of business, and in limited marketing cases. It requires destruction of old records and gives a civil action with liquidated damages of $2,500.

Why it matters

It is frequently used in US class actions over sharing streaming or video-viewing data, including through website tracking pixels.

Refer to it when

Use it when a business shares what video content users watched, for consent wording, or for VPPA litigation risk.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 2710(a) – Definitions
  • Section 2710(b) – Prohibited disclosure
  • Section 2710(c) – Civil action
  • Section 2710(e) – Destruction of old records

Applicability

Businesses delivering prerecorded video material, including online streaming services.

Current validity

CURRENT. The text is in the supplied 18 U.S.C. Chapter 121 PDF (section 2710). Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 2710(a) → (b) → (c).

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Low
  • Consent
United States
LawCurrent

Public Law 114-113, Division N, Title I (18 December 2015)

Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015

CHECK CURRENT STATUS (sunset provision)

What it covers

The Act authorises private entities to monitor their own information systems, operate defensive measures and share cyber threat indicators and defensive measures with each other and with the federal government, mainly through the DHS capability. It requires removal of personal information not directly related to a threat before sharing, sets privacy and civil liberties guidelines, and gives liability protection, antitrust exemptions and FOIA exemptions for sharing done under the Act.

Why it matters

It is the legal basis for most voluntary private-to-government cyber threat sharing in the United States.

Refer to it when

Use it when sharing threat indicators with US agencies or peers, or assessing liability protection for that sharing.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 102 – Definitions
  • Section 104 – Authorisations
  • Section 105 – Sharing with the federal government
  • Section 106 – Protection from liability
  • Section 111 – Effective period

Applicability

Private entities and federal and non-federal government bodies sharing cyber threat information.

Current validity

The Act carried a sunset date of 30 September 2025 (section 111); check whether it has been extended before relying on it. The supplied PDF is the whole Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016; the Act is in Division N, Title I. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 102 → 104 → 105 → 106 → 111.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Moderate
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Lawful basis
  • Surveillance
  • AI cybersecurity
United States
LawCurrent

Public Law 113-283 (18 December 2014); 44 U.S.C. §§ 3551-3558

Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA)

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

FISMA 2014 replaces 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, Subchapter II. OMB oversees federal information security policy; DHS administers its implementation for civilian agencies, including binding operational directives and a federal information security incident center. Each agency head must run an agency-wide security programme based on risk, report major incidents to Congress, and have an annual independent evaluation by its Inspector General.

Why it matters

It is the core law on information security in US federal agencies and drives NIST standards use and federal contractor security requirements.

Refer to it when

Use it for security duties of US federal agencies, contractors operating federal systems, or federal incident reporting.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 3552 – Definitions
  • Section 3553 – Authority of OMB and DHS
  • Section 3554 – Agency responsibilities
  • Section 3555 – Annual independent evaluation
  • Section 3556 – Federal information security incident center

Applicability

US federal agencies and those operating information systems on their behalf.

Current validity

CURRENT. Enacted 18 December 2014. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 3552 → 3553 → 3554 → 3555.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Moderate
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Data breach
  • Government data
  • AI cybersecurity
United States
LawCurrent (amended)

12 U.S.C. §§ 3401-3423 (2024 edition)

Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

The Act stops federal government authorities from getting access to a customer's financial records held by a financial institution unless the customer authorises it or the authority uses an administrative subpoena or summons, a search warrant, a judicial subpoena or a formal written request. The customer normally gets notice and may challenge the request in court; notice can be delayed in defined cases. Financial institutions must not release records until the authority certifies compliance. Exceptions, use restrictions and civil penalties follow.

Why it matters

It is the main federal limit on government access to bank records and sets the process banks follow when federal agencies seek customer data.

Refer to it when

Use it when a US federal agency asks a bank or card issuer for an individual customer's records.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 3401 – Definitions
  • Section 3402 – Access prohibited; exceptions
  • Section 3417 – Civil penalties

Applicability

US federal government authorities and financial institutions holding customer records.

Current validity

CURRENT. Enacted 1978, as amended. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 3401 → 3402 → 3405-3408 → 3409-3410 → 3413 (exceptions).

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: Low
  • Security
  • Government data
  • Enforcement and penalties
United States
LawCurrent (amended)

15 U.S.C. §§ 6801-6827 (2024 edition)

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act – Privacy (15 U.S.C. Chapter 94)

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

Subchapter I places on every financial institution a continuing duty to respect customer privacy and protect the security and confidentiality of nonpublic personal information. Institutions must give initial and annual privacy notices, must let consumers opt out before nonpublic personal information is disclosed to non-affiliated third parties, and may not share account numbers for marketing. Agencies make rules and enforce. Subchapter II makes it an offence to obtain customer information from a financial institution by false pretences (pretexting).

Why it matters

It is the federal baseline for privacy and security in US financial services and the source of the Privacy Rule and Safeguards Rule.

Refer to it when

Use it for privacy notices, information sharing or security programmes of banks, lenders, insurers and other financial institutions.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 6801 – Protection of nonpublic personal information
  • Section 6802 – Disclosure obligations
  • Section 6803 – Privacy policy disclosure
  • Section 6805 – Enforcement
  • Section 6807 – Relation to State laws
  • Section 6821 – Pretexting

Applicability

Financial institutions and those who receive nonpublic personal information from them.

Current validity

CURRENT. Enacted 1999 (Public Law 106-102), as amended. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 6809 (definitions) → 6801 → 6802 → 6803 → 6821.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Security
  • Enforcement and penalties
United States
LawCurrent (amended)

18 U.S.C. §§ 2721-2725 (2024 edition)

Driver's Privacy Protection Act

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

A State department of motor vehicles may not knowingly disclose personal information from a motor vehicle record except for the permissible uses listed in section 2721(b), such as government functions, vehicle safety, legal proceedings and insurance. Highly restricted personal information such as photographs and medical information needs express consent. Resale and redisclosure are limited, false representations to obtain records are unlawful, and there are criminal fines and a civil action with liquidated damages.

Why it matters

It limits use of driver records for marketing, data brokerage and locating individuals.

Refer to it when

Use it when obtaining, using or reselling information from US State driver or vehicle records.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 2721 – Prohibition and permissible uses
  • Section 2722 – Additional unlawful acts
  • Section 2723 – Penalties
  • Section 2724 – Civil action
  • Section 2725 – Definitions

Applicability

State motor vehicle departments and anyone who obtains or uses motor vehicle record information.

Current validity

CURRENT. Enacted 1994, as amended. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 2725 → 2721 → 2722 → 2724.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: Low
  • Consent
  • Security
  • Enforcement and penalties
United States
LawCurrent

Public Law 119-12 (19 May 2025)

TAKE IT DOWN Act

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

Section 2 amends section 223 of the Communications Act to make it an offence to knowingly publish, using an interactive computer service, an intimate visual depiction of an identifiable individual without consent, including a digital forgery, with separate rules for minors and for threats. Section 3 requires covered platforms to set up a process for an identifiable individual to request removal and to remove the depiction, and known identical copies, within 48 hours of a valid request. Failure to comply is treated as an unfair or deceptive practice enforced by the FTC.

Why it matters

It is the first federal law aimed directly at AI-generated intimate deepfakes and places removal duties on platforms.

Refer to it when

Use it for nonconsensual intimate images or deepfakes, or for a platform's removal process in the US.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 2 – Criminal prohibition
  • Section 3 – Notice and removal
  • Section 3 – FTC enforcement
  • Section 4 – Definitions

Applicability

Anyone publishing intimate depictions; covered platforms hosting user-generated content.

Current validity

CURRENT. Enacted 19 May 2025; platforms had one year from enactment to set up the removal process. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 4 (definitions) → Section 2 → Section 3.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: Low
  • Consent
  • Security
  • Enforcement and penalties
Nevada, United States
LawCurrent (amended)

Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 603A

NRS Chapter 603A – Security and Privacy of Personal Information

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

The first part applies to data collectors holding personal information of Nevada residents: secure destruction of records, reasonable security measures, encryption for data collectors that accept payment cards or move personal information outside their secure system, and notice to residents after a breach of the security of the system data. A later part applies to operators of internet websites and online services: they must post a notice of the covered information collected and must not sell covered information of a consumer who has opted out. The Attorney General enforces.

Why it matters

It combines one of the earliest US encryption mandates with Nevada's online privacy notice and opt-out-of-sale rules.

Refer to it when

Use it for security, encryption, breach notice or online privacy notices involving Nevada residents.

Applicability

Data collectors and online operators handling personal or covered information of Nevada residents.

Current validity

CURRENT. As amended. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

NRS 603A.010-.040 → .210 → .215 → .220 → .340-.345.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: High
  • Data breach
  • Security
Maryland, United States
LawCurrent (amended)

Md. Code, Commercial Law, Title 14, Subtitle 35

Maryland Personal Information Protection (Commercial Law §14-3501 onward)

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

Section 14-3501 defines business, encrypted, personal information and related terms. The subtitle requires businesses to take reasonable steps when destroying records, to implement reasonable security procedures, to require service providers to do the same, and after discovering a breach of the security of a system to investigate and notify affected Maryland residents and the Attorney General. Violations are unfair or deceptive trade practices.

Why it matters

It is Maryland's data security and breach notification law for any business holding residents' personal information.

Refer to it when

Use it for a security incident or security programme involving personal information of Maryland residents.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 14-3501 – Definitions
  • Section 14-3502 – Destruction of records
  • Section 14-3503 – Security procedures
  • Section 14-3504 – Breach investigation and notification

Applicability

Businesses that own, license or maintain personal information of Maryland residents.

Current validity

CURRENT. As amended. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 14-3501 → 14-3503 → 14-3504. The supplied PDF contains section 14-3501 only; read the remaining sections in the full subtitle.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: High
  • Data breach
  • Health data
  • Enforcement and penalties
Iowa, United States
LawCurrent

Iowa Code Chapter 715D

Iowa Consumer Data Protection Act

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

The chapter applies to persons doing business in Iowa that control or process personal data of at least 100,000 consumers, or of 25,000 consumers while deriving over half of gross revenue from selling personal data. Consumers may confirm processing, access, delete and obtain a copy of their data and opt out of sale. Controllers must limit processing, keep security practices, give notice before processing sensitive data and offer an opt-out, and publish a privacy notice. Processors work under contract. The Attorney General enforces exclusively, after a 90-day cure period, with civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation.

Why it matters

It is Iowa's comprehensive consumer privacy law, among the more business-friendly US State models.

Refer to it when

Use it when processing personal data of Iowa consumers above the thresholds.

Applicability

Controllers and processors meeting the Iowa thresholds.

Current validity

CURRENT. In force from 1 January 2025. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

715D.1 → 715D.2 → 715D.3 → 715D.4 → 715D.8.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Sensitive data
  • Controller and processor
  • Enforcement and penalties
Delaware, United States
LawCurrent

6 Del. C. Chapter 12D

Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

The Act applies to persons doing business in Delaware that control or process personal data of at least 35,000 consumers, or of 10,000 consumers while deriving over 20 percent of gross revenue from selling personal data. Consumers may confirm, access, correct, delete and port data, obtain a list of third parties, and opt out of targeted advertising, sale and profiling with significant effects. Controllers need consent for sensitive data, must recognise universal opt-out signals, publish a privacy notice and carry out data protection assessments. The Department of Justice enforces.

Why it matters

It has some of the lowest applicability thresholds among US State privacy laws and broad sensitive data rules.

Refer to it when

Use it when processing personal data of Delaware consumers.

Applicability

Controllers and processors meeting the Delaware thresholds.

Current validity

CURRENT. In force from 1 January 2025. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

§ 12D-102 → 12D-103 → 12D-104 → 12D-106 → 12D-111.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Profiling
  • Controller and processor
  • Enforcement and penalties
Texas, United States
LawCurrent

Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Chapter 541

Texas Data Privacy and Security Act

CURRENT / IN FORCE

What it covers

The Act applies to persons doing business in Texas or producing products or services consumed by Texans that process or sell personal data and are not small businesses (small businesses still need consent before selling sensitive data). Consumers may confirm, access, correct, delete and port data and opt out of targeted advertising, sale and profiling. Controllers need consent for sensitive data, must give privacy notices, disclose sale of sensitive or biometric data, and conduct data protection assessments. Processors work under contract. The Attorney General enforces exclusively after a 30-day cure period, with civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation.

Why it matters

It is the privacy law of one of the largest US State economies and applies without a revenue or volume threshold.

Refer to it when

Use it when processing personal data of Texas consumers.

Applicability

Businesses processing personal data of Texas consumers, other than small businesses (except for sensitive data sales).

Current validity

CURRENT. In force from 1 July 2024. Read the official PDF on this page for the operative text.

Read first

Section 541.001 → 541.002 → Subchapter B → Subchapter C → Subchapter E.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Profiling
  • Controller and processor
  • Biometrics
  • Enforcement and penalties
Washington (United States)
LawStatus not verifiedSupplied RCW chapter certified 15 August 2025

RCW Chapter 19.373

Washington My Health My Data Act

Status not verified beyond supplied text

What it covers

Protects reasonably linkable consumer health information, including mental and physical health, reproductive care, biometrics, genetics, health-indicative location and health information inferred from other data using algorithms or machine learning. It regulates privacy disclosures, collection and sharing, consumer requests, security, processors, sales and certain health-facility geofences.

Why it matters

Addresses health-data privacy outside the information protected by HIPAA and other listed regimes. Small businesses are covered; information-level exemptions must not be mistaken for blanket exemptions for every record held by a health-care organisation.

Refer to it when

Research health apps, health-related advertising, inferred health profiles, consumer health-data sales or location tracking involving Washington residents or data collected in Washington.

Applicability

Washington residents and individuals whose consumer health data is collected in Washington, subject to the consumer, regulated-entity and small-business definitions and RCW 19.373.100 exclusions.

Read first

RCW 19.373.010 → .100 (exemptions) → .020-.040 → .050-.080 → .090.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Profiling
  • Controller and processor
  • Biometrics
  • Health data
  • Employment data
  • Enforcement and penalties
United States
RegulationStatus not verifiedSupplied eCFR snapshot: 2 October 2026 (authoritative but unofficial)

47 CFR Part 64, Subpart U

FCC Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI) Rules

Status not verified beyond supplied text

What it covers

Implements section 222 of the Communications Act for telecommunications carriers, including interconnected VoIP providers. Covers permitted CPNI uses, approval methods, notices, internal safeguards, customer authentication, account changes and breach reporting.

Why it matters

Distinguishes carrier customer-information duties from general internet privacy and from government access to stored communications. Customers can be individuals or entities, not only household consumers.

Refer to it when

Research carrier marketing with call/customer data, CPNI consent, customer account authentication, SIM changes or carrier breaches.

Applicability

Telecommunications carriers and interconnected VoIP providers handling CPNI, subject to the subpart’s permitted uses and specific exceptions.

Read first

§§ 64.2001, 64.2003 → .2005-.2008 → .2009-.2010 (including (h)(9)) → .2011 and its amendment notices.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Data breach
  • Enforcement and penalties
United States
RegulationStatus not verifiedSupplied 55-page codification; includes § 248.30 text citing 3 June 2024

17 CFR Part 248

SEC Regulations S-P, S-AM and S-ID

Status not verified beyond supplied text

What it covers

Regulation S-P addresses nonpublic personal financial information, privacy notices, nonaffiliate disclosure/opt-out, safeguards, response and disposal. S-AM controls certain affiliate marketing solicitations. S-ID requires covered-account identity-theft programmes and card-issuer address-change checks.

Why it matters

The three subparts serve different functions and have different scope tests. A service-provider breach notice to a covered institution is not the same as reporting a breach to the SEC.

Refer to it when

Research a securities firm’s financial privacy notices, security incident response, affiliate marketing or identity-theft programme.

Applicability

S-P’s ordinary privacy provisions cover listed brokers, dealers, investment companies and SEC-registered advisers; safeguards/disposal definitions differ. S-ID applies to covered financial institutions or creditors with covered accounts, not automatically every registrant.

Read first

§ 248.1 → .3-.15 → .30 including definitions → .101 and .120-.128 → .201-.202 and Subpart C Appendix A.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Data breach
  • Retention
United States
RegulationStatus not verifiedSupplied eCFR snapshot: 2 October 2026 (authoritative but unofficial)

16 CFR Part 313

FTC Privacy of Consumer Financial Information Rule

Status not verified beyond supplied text

What it covers

Privacy notices and specified nonaffiliated-third-party disclosures of consumers’ nonpublic personal financial information. The supplied § 313.1(b) limits FTC rulemaking coverage to qualifying motor-vehicle dealers described in 12 U.S.C. 5519, rather than every financial institution.

Why it matters

Avoids confusing the FTC’s notice/sharing rule with its broader financial security rule or another regulator’s implementing regulations. Annual notices and opt-outs have express exceptions.

Refer to it when

Research a qualifying motor-vehicle dealer’s privacy notice, financial-information sharing or consumer opt-out arrangements.

Applicability

The FTC rulemaking-authority motor-vehicle institutions described in § 313.1(b), subject to the statutory dealer exclusions and personal-purpose information test.

Read first

§ 313.1(b) → .3 → .4-.9 → .10-.15 → Appendix A where a model notice is used.

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Low
United States
RegulationStatus not verifiedSupplied eCFR snapshot: 2 October 2026 (authoritative but unofficial)

16 CFR Part 318

FTC Health Breach Notification Rule

Status not verified beyond supplied text

What it covers

Breach notifications for unsecured identifiable personal health record information. Covers qualifying foreign and domestic PHR vendors, PHR-related entities and third-party service providers maintaining US citizens’ or residents’ information. Unauthorised disclosures can be breaches, not just hacking.

Why it matters

Provides a distinct notification regime outside HIPAA for services satisfying the PHR and related-entity definitions. Not every health app automatically meets those tests.

Refer to it when

Research an unauthorised acquisition or disclosure involving a qualifying health app, personal health record or connected service.

Applicability

Entities meeting the PHR/vendor/related-entity/service-provider definitions and holding unsecured identifiable PHR health information, with the express HIPAA activity exclusions.

Read first

§§ 318.1-.2 → .3-.4 → .5-.6 → .7-.9.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Data breach
  • Controller and processor
  • Health data
  • Enforcement and penalties
United States
RegulationStatus not verifiedSupplied eCFR snapshot: 2 October 2026 (authoritative but unofficial)

16 CFR Part 314

FTC Safeguards Rule

Status not verified beyond supplied text

What it covers

Risk-based administrative, technical and physical protection of customer information through a written security programme, a Qualified Individual, risk assessments, controls, testing, staff training, provider oversight, response and reporting.

Why it matters

Covers FTC-jurisdiction financial institutions, including listed nonbank financial businesses, rather than all banks or businesses. Information held about other institutions’ customers can also be covered.

Refer to it when

Research financial-sector security programmes, encryption/MFA, service-provider contracts, incident response or FTC notification events.

Applicability

Financial institutions within FTC rulemaking/enforcement jurisdiction under the cited GLBA provisions, including customer information possessed on behalf of other institutions.

Read first

§ 314.1 → .2 → .3-.4 → .6; inspect the notification-event definition with .4(j).

  • AI: Low
  • Privacy: High
  • Cyber: Very High
  • Data breach
  • Enforcement and penalties
United States
RegulationStatus not verifiedSupplied eCFR snapshot: 2 October 2026 (authoritative but unofficial)

34 CFR Part 99; 20 U.S.C. 1232g

FERPA Regulations - Family Educational Rights and Privacy

Status not verified beyond supplied text

What it covers

Education-record privacy at covered educational agencies and institutions receiving funds under programmes administered by the Secretary. Establishes rights, annual notification, inspection/review, amendment/hearing procedures, consent, disclosure exceptions, redisclosure limits and enforcement.

Why it matters

Determines when student-record services and outsourced institutional functions can receive information. The school-official exception requires direct institutional control and legitimate educational interests; it does not authorise unrestricted vendor AI training.

Refer to it when

Research student records, parent/eligible-student requests, educational service providers, studies, directory information or emergency disclosures.

Applicability

Educational agencies/institutions meeting § 99.1 funding and function tests and relevant recipients of education-record information; not every school or education app automatically.

Read first

§§ 99.1, .3, .5, .7 → .10 → .30-.37 → .60-.67.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: Moderate
  • Consent
  • Enforcement and penalties
United States
RegulationStatus not verifiedSupplied eCFR snapshot: 2 October 2026 (authoritative but unofficial)

16 CFR Part 312; 15 U.S.C. 6501-6506

Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule)

Status not verified beyond supplied text

What it covers

Covered child-directed online services and actual-knowledge situations involving under-13 children’s personal information. Requires notices, verifiable parental consent, parent controls, collection limitation, security, purpose-limited retention and safe-harbour oversight.

Why it matters

The supplied rule includes the 2025 revisions, including biometric identifiers and stronger programme/retention requirements. It is not a universal under-18 privacy rule and does not make every online collection subject to identical consent rules.

Refer to it when

Research children’s apps, games, online identifiers, voice/biometric processing, parental consent, third-party disclosure or data retention.

Applicability

Operators and collections meeting the rule’s child-directed, mixed-audience, actual-knowledge and commercial coverage definitions and relevant exceptions.

Read first

§§ 312.2-.5 → .6-.8 → .10 → .11 where a safe harbour is used.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Children's data
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Biometrics
  • Retention
  • Enforcement and penalties
Mauritius
LawStatus not verifiedSupplied 73-page Act with commencement annotation; no later consolidation date establishedAssent 22 December 2017

Act 20/2017

Data Protection Act 2017 - Mauritius

Enacted and commenced as recorded in the supplied Act

What it covers

Personal-data processing through principles, controller/processor registration, Commissioner oversight, consent and other lawful bases, security, breach notifications, risk assessments, overseas transfers and individual rights. Includes high-risk new technology and solely automated decisions.

Why it matters

Provides Mauritius’s national privacy framework. Its own territorial, transfer and child-consent rules must be read directly rather than assumed to match GDPR wording.

Refer to it when

Research processing in Mauritius, controller/processor registration, sensitive or child data, security incidents, international transfers or significant automated decisions.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Sections 42-58 and Schedule - Enforcement and closing provisions

Applicability

Controllers and processors within section 3’s automated/filing-system and territorial/equipment tests, including State processing; check section 44 and the domestic-use/transit qualifications.

Read first

Sections 3, 14, 44 → 21-26 → 28-31 → 34-40 → 42-43 and 51.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Children's data
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data localisation
  • Controller and processor
Ghana
Draft BillProposedSupplied 82-page draft; blank date of assent

Data Protection Bill, 2025 (125 draft clauses)

Ghana Data Protection Bill, 2025 - Draft

Draft / proposed legislation; enactment not established by supplied PDF

What it covers

Would establish a Data Protection Authority and expand accountability, lawful processing, security, DPIAs, legitimate-interest assessments, rights, registration/DPOs, accreditation and international transfers. Draft clause 53 specifically addresses emerging technologies and clause 65 automated decision-taking.

Why it matters

Supports research into proposed reform, not a statement of existing duties. Its proposed repeal of Act 843 must not be read as an accomplished repeal; draft penalties and institutional powers are not asserted to apply now.

Refer to it when

Research Ghana’s proposed reform, potential emerging-technology/AI data safeguards, expanded rights or draft transfer/localisation provisions.

Applicability

Proposed scope only: read draft clause 1’s domestic, foreign targeting/profiling, equipment/processor and originating-information connections, and clauses 98-112 exemptions.

Read first

Draft clauses 1-2 → 37-53 → 54-68 → 84 → 93-97 → 122-125.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Lawful basis
  • Consent
  • Children's data
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Security
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data localisation
  • Data protection officer
Ghana
LawStatus not verifiedSupplied 2012 Act; later consolidation not establishedAssent 10 May 2012

Act 843

Ghana Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843)

Data Protection Act, 2012

Enacted text; separate commencement notice not included

What it covers

Establishes the Data Protection Commission and regulates personal-data processing through minimality, lawful justification, purpose, notice, retention, data quality, security, registration and individual rights. Includes special personal data, direct marketing and automated decision-taking.

Why it matters

This is the enacted Act 843 source, distinct from the library’s proposed 2025 bill. A proposed repeal in a draft does not establish that this Act has been repealed.

Refer to it when

Research Ghanaian processing principles, controller registration, access/correction, special personal data, direct marketing, automated decisions or security compromises.

Applicability

Read section 45’s establishment/equipment connections and exclusions, section 91 on State application and sections 60-74 exemptions. Section 18(2) separately addresses foreign data subjects; this is not simplified into a universal GDPR-style transfer rule.

Read first

Sections 45, 91 and exemptions → 17-31 → 32-44 → 46-58 → 75-80 → 99.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Automated decision-making
  • Security
  • Controller and processor
  • Direct marketing
  • Retention
  • Enforcement and penalties
Barbados
LawStatus not verifiedSupplied 2019 Gazette Act; later consolidation not establishedAssent 12 August 2019

Act 2019-29

Barbados Data Protection Act, 2019-29

Enacted text; commencement proclamation not included

What it covers

Processing principles and lawful bases, children and sensitive data, individual rights, international transfers, exemptions, controller/processor registration, accountability, security, breaches, impact assessments, privacy officers and enforcement.

Why it matters

Combines rights, profiling safeguards and operational accountability. The statute’s own scope and exemptions apply; resemblance to GDPR does not make GDPR universally applicable in Barbados.

Refer to it when

Research Barbados personal-data processing, automated profiling, portability, overseas transfers, registration, security incidents or privacy-officer duties.

Applicability

Section 3 application tests and sections 29-49 exemptions must be read before relying on duties; controller and processor obligations are distinct.

Read first

Section 3 → 4-9 → 10-28 → applicable exemptions → 50-69 → 90-95 and 100.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Children's data
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Data portability
  • Profiling
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
Uruguay
LawStatus not verifiedSupplied Spanish annotated text with later statutory changes; no verified consolidation cut-offPromulgated 11 August 2008

Law No. 18.331

Uruguay Personal Data Protection Law No. 18.331

Ley No. 18.331 - Protección de Datos Personales y Acción de Habeas Data

Enacted annotated text; present consolidation not independently verified

What it covers

Personal-data protection as a fundamental right, principles, access and correction, challenges to automated evaluations, communication of data, specially protected data, overseas transfers, database obligations, regulatory oversight and habeas data proceedings.

Why it matters

Article 16 directly protects individuals against significant automated evaluations and provides information about evaluation criteria and the programme used. The uploaded annotations must not be mistaken for the untouched 2008 wording.

Refer to it when

Research Uruguay’s personal-data rights, automated credit/employment evaluations, sensitive data, transfers, database registration or habeas data.

Applicability

Public and private personal-data databases and processing within articles 2-4, with domestic-use and other statutory exclusions. Special public/security-sector provisions require separate reading.

Read first

Articles 2-4 → 5-17 → 18-23 → 24-36 → 37 onward.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Employment data
  • Registration and notification
  • Accountability
Colombia
LawStatus not verifiedSupplied Spanish Función Pública legal-manager text with regulatory annotationsEnacted 17 October 2012

Law 1581 of 2012

Colombia Statutory Law 1581 of 2012

Ley Estatutaria 1581 de 2012

Enacted statutory text; publisher does not guarantee current validity

What it covers

General personal-data protection principles, sensitive and children’s data, data-subject authorisation and rights, notices, consultation/claim procedures, controller and processor duties, SIC oversight, sanctions, database registration and transfers.

Why it matters

The general framework has special-scope exclusions and implementing regulations. It should not be treated as a self-contained consolidation of every Colombian sectoral privacy requirement.

Refer to it when

Research Colombian processing authorisation, sensitive data, children, access/correction, complaints, controller/processor duties, sanctions or cross-border disclosures.

Applicability

Processing registered in databases by public/private entities within article 2, including the specified territorial and international-law connections; statutory exclusions remain subject to the law’s principles where indicated.

Read first

Articles 2-4 → 5-13 → 14-18 → 19-26 → 28.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Sensitive data
  • Children's data
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Controller and processor
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Registration and notification
  • Transparency
Sri Lanka
LawStatus not verifiedOriginal Act certified 19 March 2022; not a consolidated amended copyPublished 25 March 2022

Act No. 9 of 2022

Sri Lanka Personal Data Protection Act, No. 9 of 2022

Status not verified: read with Act 22/2025 and relevant Gazette orders

What it covers

Lawful personal-data processing, purpose and proportionality, accuracy, retention, integrity/confidentiality, transparency, management programmes, rights, automated decisions, officers, processors, breaches, risk assessments, transfers and enforcement.

Why it matters

The original Act remains necessary for the provisions not replaced by the 2025 amendment, but its original commencement and cross-border text must not be presented as the amended law.

Refer to it when

Research Sri Lankan processing, rights, automated decisions, security, DPIAs, overseas data flows or Authority powers; read the linked amendment alongside it.

Applicability

Section 2 territorial/offering/monitoring tests, domestic-use exclusion and applicable exceptions; schedules and controller/processor roles must be considered separately.

Read first

Act 22/2025 section 2 → Act 9/2022 sections 2-12 → amended 17-20 and 24-26 → section 23 → Authority provisions.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Automated decision-making
  • Impact assessment
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Retention
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Surveillance
Sri Lanka
Amendment ActStatus not verifiedAmendment certified 30 October 2025; read alongside Act 9/2022Published 31 October 2025

Act No. 22 of 2025

Sri Lanka Personal Data Protection (Amendment) Act, No. 22 of 2025

Status not verified: principal-law operation depends on Gazette orders

What it covers

Amendments to commencement, management programmes, rights-request decisions, automated decisions, restrictions, officers, risk assessments, consultation, international data flow, Authority guidelines, delegated powers, definitions and Schedule VI.

Why it matters

Prevents reliance on superseded wording in the original 2022 attachment. This amendment supplies changes, not the full principal Act or all commencement orders.

Refer to it when

Determine which 2022 provisions changed, how commencement is appointed, updated rights procedures and cross-border safeguards.

Provisions / sections covered

  • Section 2 - Commencement
  • Section 16 - Language priority

Applicability

Amends Act 9/2022; the principal Act’s application, exceptions and remaining provisions still apply. Section 26’s prescribed public-authority restrictions are not a blanket localisation requirement for all controllers.

Read first

Section 2 → sections 3-7 with principal rights → sections 8-10 with principal risk/transfer duties → 11-15.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Automated decision-making
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Data localisation
  • Controller and processor
Jordan
LawStatus not verifiedSupplied Arabic/official English translation; not verified against later regulations

Law No. 24 of 2023

Jordan Personal Data Protection Law No. 24 of 2023

Enacted text; Gazette publication-based effective date not established by supplied copy

What it covers

Personal and sensitive data, prior consent and lawful exceptions, rights including objections to unnecessary or discriminatory profiling, processing standards, transparency, erasure, officers, confidentiality, data exchange, foreign transfers and institutional enforcement.

Why it matters

Consent conditions are in article 5, exceptions in article 6 and pre-processing information in article 9; these provisions must not be conflated. Profiling rights make this privacy law relevant to AI without classifying it as an AI Act.

Refer to it when

Research Jordanian consent, profiling, subject rights, controller/processor safeguards, officer appointments or foreign transfers.

Applicability

Personal-data processing within article 3, subject to the personal-purpose exclusion and article 6 grounds; specific sensitive-data and officer requirements must be assessed separately.

Read first

Articles 2-3 → 4-7 → 8-13 → 14-15 → 16 onward.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Profiling
  • Data protection officer
  • Controller and processor
  • Enforcement and penalties
  • Surveillance
  • Transparency
  • Accountability
Oman
DecreeStatus not verifiedSupplied English text, Official Gazette issue 1429; executive regulations not attached

Royal Decree 6/2022 and attached Personal Data Protection Law

Oman Personal Data Protection Law - Royal Decree 6/2022

Enacted text; publication-based commencement and later regulations not independently verified

What it covers

The decree enacts the attached law, delegates executive regulations and repeals specified electronic-transactions privacy provisions. The attached law regulates consent, sensitive data, children, rights, safeguards, records, breaches, officers, marketing, overseas transfers and offences.

Why it matters

Many practical controls and procedures are delegated to regulations. The source alone cannot supply every deadline, permit procedure or transfer condition.

Refer to it when

Research Oman personal-data consent, sensitive-data permits, children, security incidents, officers, marketing consent or cross-border transfers.

Applicability

Processed personal data under article 2, with article 3 exclusions including specified public/security duties, vital interests, research, personal/family use and qualifying public data; these are not blanket exclusions for all commercial processing.

Read first

Decree I-IV → law 2-6 → 10-16 → 17-23 → applicable offence provisions.

  • AI: Moderate
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Sensitive data
  • Children's data
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Controller and processor
  • Biometrics
  • Enforcement and penalties
Viet Nam
LawCurrentSupplied English text of the 2025 law; translation status and later implementing rules not independently certifiedAdopted 26 June 2025

Law No. 91/2025/QH15

Vietnam Personal Data Protection Law No. 91/2025/QH15

In force from 1 January 2026 as stated in supplied law; later implementation not verified

What it covers

Data-subject rights and processing principles, consent and exceptions, collection, encryption, correction, deletion/de-identification, disclosure, transfers, impact dossiers, notifications, vulnerable persons and sectoral safeguards. Articles 30-32 specifically address AI/big data, location/biometrics and recording/filming.

Why it matters

A national privacy law with express AI-data provisions, not a general AI framework. Transitional recognition of Decree 13 consents and dossiers does not mean the two instruments are duplicates or that every earlier duty is unchanged.

Refer to it when

Research Vietnamese personal data, AI/big-data processing, location/biometrics, employee/health/financial data, overseas transfers, impact dossiers or breach notifications.

Applicability

Article 1 domestic and specified foreign processing connections. Article 38 exceptions concern only named provisions and do not remove general rights, consent, security or sectoral duties.

Read first

Articles 1-4 → 7-10 and 19 → 20-23 → relevant sector 24-32 → 38-39.

  • AI: High
  • Privacy: Very High
  • Cyber: High
  • Consent
  • Children's data
  • Data subject rights
  • Erasure and deletion
  • Impact assessment
  • Data breach
  • Cross-border transfers
  • Biometrics
  • Employment data
  • Anonymisation