Dubai, UAE: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, proposes amendments to the select legislation through DIFC Laws Amendment Law, Law No. 1 of 2005. The proposed amendments are largely clarificatory in nature and seek to ensure DIFC Laws remain in line with international best practice. Proposed amendments to the Data Protection Law provide additional protections and rights of action for Data Subjects in the DIFC.

Data Protection Law

DIFC proposes to make amendments to the Data Protection Law to:

  • Provide clarity on the scope of application and extra-territorial scope of the Data Protection Law, to ensure DIFC Data Subjects are offered the full protection of the data protection law regardless of where their data is processed.
  • Update Article 28 on Data Sharing to support a basis for the Commissioner to reassess the adequacy referential for assessing the suitability of third countries for receiving Personal Data, and to ensure that personal data processed by government authorities will be protected with suitable redress available for data subjects.
  • Introduce a Private Right of Action through the DIFC Courts, enhancing the rights and remedies available to data subjects whose personal data has been processed in contravention of the Data Protection Law.

Other Legislative Amendments

Certain clarificatory amendments are also proposed in respect of the Law of Security, Insolvency Law and Employment.

Consultation

Further details about the proposed Amendment Law can be found in Consultation Paper No. 1 of 2025, available here. The proposed legislation has been posted for a 30-day public consultation period with the deadline for providing comments ending on 26.03.2025.

About Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s most advanced financial centres, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), which comprises 77 countries with an approximate population of 3.7bn and an estimated GDP of USD 10.5trn.

With a 20-year track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the Centre connects these fast-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe, and the Americas through Dubai. 

DIFC is home to an internationally recognised, independent regulator and a proven judicial system with an English common law framework, as well as the region’s largest financial ecosystem of 46,000 professionals working across over 6,900 active registered companies – making up the largest and most diverse pool of industry talent in the region. 

The Centre’s vision is to drive the future of finance through cutting-edge technology, innovation, and partnerships. Today, it is the global future of finance and innovation hub offering one of the region’s most comprehensive FinTech and venture capital environments, including cost-effective licensing solutions, fit-for-purpose regulation, innovative accelerator programmes, and funding for growth-stage start-ups.  

Comprising a variety of world-renowned retail and dining venues, a dynamic art and culture scene, residential apartments, hotels, and public spaces, DIFC continues to be one of Dubai’s most sought-after business and lifestyle destinations. 

For further information, please visit our website: difc.ae, or follow us on LinkedIn and X @DIFC.

For media enquiries, please contact: 
Nivine William | Nisha Celina
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nivine.william@bursonglobal.com | nisha.celina@bursonglobal.com

Rasha Mezher | Dubai International Financial Centre Authority  
Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications
+9714 3622451
Rasha.Mezher@difc.ae