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Saudi Arabia PDPL

Self-Assess
Saudi Arabia
vRoyal Decree M/19 (1443H/2021) as amended by M/148 (1444H/2023); Implementing Regulation September 2023; Transfer Regulation v2.0 August 2024
8 domains
31 controls

Saudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law (Royal Decree M/19 of 2021 as amended by M/148 of 2023, in force 14 September 2023, fully enforced from 14 September 2024), with SDAIA's Implementing Regulation and the Regulation on Personal Data Transfer outside the Kingdom (v2.0, August 2024): data subject rights with 30-day responses, consent and its exceptions including assessed legitimate interest, purpose limitation and minimisation, privacy policies and collection notices, security under NCA controls, 72-hour breach notification, impact assessments, processor agreements, disclosure limits, health and credit data, advertising and marketing consent, research, identity documents, cross-border transfers under adequacy, standard contractual clauses, binding common rules or certification with transfer risk assessments, DPOs, records of processing kept five years, cooperation with SDAIA and confidentiality. Fines up to five million riyals. Built from the complete Law and Regulations, read in full.

Verified

Saudi Arabia PDPL is a compliance framework from Saudi Arabia with 8 domains and 31 controls that map to 148 other frameworks. The largest domains are Lawful processing, consent and purpose – Saudi Arabia PDPL (5 controls), Data subject rights and requests – Saudi Arabia PDPL (4 controls), Governance: DPO, records, cooperation and confidentiality – Saudi Arabia PDPL (4 controls). Every control below carries what it requires and what an assessor expects to see.

Maintained by Gerard BlokdykVerified against the published standard Control text last updated

Framework summaries on this platform are interpretations grounded in the published source, for educational and compliance planning purposes. They do not reproduce or replace the official standards. Refer to the authoritative source for the definitive text. Framework names and trademarks belong to their respective organisations.

Framework Domains (8)

Data subject rights and requests – Saudi Arabia PDPL

4 controls
Controls in the Data subject rights and requests – Saudi Arabia PDPL domain of Saudi Arabia PDPL: 4 controls
CodeTitle
saudi-arabia-pdpl::21Act on data subject requests within 30 days, extendable once by 30
saudi-arabia-pdpl::4(2)-9Right of access and to a copy, with the Law's limits
saudi-arabia-pdpl::4(4)-17Right to correction, completion and updating; restriction while contested
saudi-arabia-pdpl::4(5)-18Destroy personal data on request or when no longer needed, with legal retention exceptions

Governance: DPO, records, cooperation and confidentiality – Saudi Arabia PDPL

4 controls
Controls in the Governance: DPO, records, cooperation and confidentiality – Saudi Arabia PDPL domain of Saudi Arabia PDPL: 4 controls
CodeTitle
saudi-arabia-pdpl::30(2)Appoint a personal data protection officer where required
saudi-arabia-pdpl::30(3)Cooperate with SDAIA and register where required
saudi-arabia-pdpl::31Keep written records of processing activities for the processing period plus five years
saudi-arabia-pdpl::41Keep personal data confidential, including after employment ends

Lawful processing, consent and purpose – Saudi Arabia PDPL

5 controls
Controls in the Lawful processing, consent and purpose – Saudi Arabia PDPL domain of Saudi Arabia PDPL: 5 controls
CodeTitle
saudi-arabia-pdpl::10Collect directly and process only for the collection purpose, save the Law's exceptions
saudi-arabia-pdpl::11-19IRPurpose, fair collection methods and data minimisation
saudi-arabia-pdpl::14Verify accuracy, completeness, timeliness and relevance before processing
saudi-arabia-pdpl::5-7Consent: conditions, explicit consent cases, withdrawal, guardians and no conditional consent
saudi-arabia-pdpl::6Processing without consent: actual interest, law or contract, public entities, legitimate interest

Marketing, research and official documents – Saudi Arabia PDPL

4 controls
Controls in the Marketing, research and official documents – Saudi Arabia PDPL domain of Saudi Arabia PDPL: 4 controls
CodeTitle
saudi-arabia-pdpl::25Advertising and awareness messages only with consent and an easy opt-out
saudi-arabia-pdpl::26Marketing use of personal data only with consent and never of sensitive data
saudi-arabia-pdpl::27Research and statistics without consent only on the Law's conditions
saudi-arabia-pdpl::28Do not copy identifying official documents unless required

Processors, disclosure and special categories – Saudi Arabia PDPL

4 controls
Controls in the Processors, disclosure and special categories – Saudi Arabia PDPL domain of Saudi Arabia PDPL: 4 controls
CodeTitle
saudi-arabia-pdpl::15-16Disclose personal data only on the Law's grounds and never in the barred cases
saudi-arabia-pdpl::23Health data: minimal access and sector controls
saudi-arabia-pdpl::24Credit data: explicit consent and notice of disclosure requests
saudi-arabia-pdpl::8Choose processors with sufficient guarantees and bind them by agreement

Security, breach and assessment – Saudi Arabia PDPL

4 controls
Controls in the Security, breach and assessment – Saudi Arabia PDPL domain of Saudi Arabia PDPL: 4 controls
CodeTitle
saudi-arabia-pdpl::19Organisational, administrative and technical security measures
saudi-arabia-pdpl::20Notify SDAIA of breaches within 72 hours and data subjects without undue delay
saudi-arabia-pdpl::22Impact assessments for high-risk processing
saudi-arabia-pdpl::IR-9Anonymisation that makes re-identification impossible

Transfers outside the Kingdom – Saudi Arabia PDPL

4 controls
Controls in the Transfers outside the Kingdom – Saudi Arabia PDPL domain of Saudi Arabia PDPL: 4 controls
CodeTitle
saudi-arabia-pdpl::29Transfer or disclose outside the Kingdom only for permitted purposes and under the conditions
saudi-arabia-pdpl::TR-4Appropriate safeguards where adequacy or minimisation cannot be met
saudi-arabia-pdpl::TR-6Halt transfers when safeguards fail
saudi-arabia-pdpl::TR-7Risk assessment before transfers under exemptions or of sensitive data at scale

Transparency and notices – Saudi Arabia PDPL

2 controls
Controls in the Transparency and notices – Saudi Arabia PDPL domain of Saudi Arabia PDPL: 2 controls
CodeTitle
saudi-arabia-pdpl::12Privacy policy available before collection
saudi-arabia-pdpl::13Notice at collection with the legal basis, purpose and rights

Your Compliance Coverage

If you comply with Saudi Arabia PDPL, you already cover:

Virginia CDPA

19%

13 controls mapped

Compare →

Uruguay DPL

19%

13 controls mapped

Compare →

Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA)

19%

13 controls mapped

Compare →

+ 145 more: Taiwan PDPA (19%), Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (UAE PDPL) (19%)

See all 148 mapped frameworks ↓

Maps to 148 other frameworks

68 total controls
Virginia CDPA
13 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
19%
Uruguay DPL
13 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
19%
Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA)
13 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
19%
Taiwan PDPA
13 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
19%
Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (UAE PDPL)
13 source controls mapped|9 target controls covered
19%
Bahrain PDPL
13 source controls mapped|13 target controls covered
19%
Switzerland New Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP/nDSG, 2023)
13 source controls mapped|23 target controls covered
19%
UK GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation)
9 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
13%
Barbados Data Protection Act 2019
9 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
13%
AICPA Privacy Management Framework (PMF)
9 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
13%
Singapore Government Instruction Manual on ICT&SS Management (IM8)
9 source controls mapped|9 target controls covered
13%
UK AI Regulation Framework
8 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
FTC GLBA Safeguards Rule (16 CFR Part 314)
8 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
12%
ISO/IEC 27400:2022
8 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
12%
Albania Law No. 124/2024 on Personal Data Protection
8 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
12%
Trinidad and Tobago Data Protection Act 2011
7 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
10%
TISAX - Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange
7 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
10%
Tanzania Personal Data Protection Act 2022
7 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
10%
APPI
7 source controls mapped|9 target controls covered
10%
GDPR
7 source controls mapped|10 target controls covered
10%
South Korea ISMS-P
7 source controls mapped|8 target controls covered
10%
ISO/IEC 23894:2023
7 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
10%
SOC for Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity Risk Management Examination
7 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
10%
NIST SP 800-190
6 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
9%
Azerbaijan Law on Personal Data (2010)
6 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
9%
UK Open Banking Standard
6 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
9%
COSO Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)
6 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
9%
UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code)
6 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
9%
WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025
6 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
9%
SSAE 18 - Attestation Standards (SOC Reporting)
6 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
9%
Student Privacy Pledge 2020
5 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
7%
Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBR)
5 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
7%
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
5 source controls mapped|12 target controls covered
7%
Austria Data Protection Act (Datenschutzgesetz, DSG, amended 2018)
5 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
7%
NIST SP 800-124 Revision 2 - Guidelines for Managing the Security of Mobile Devices
5 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
7%
BSI IT-Grundschutz
5 source controls mapped|10 target controls covered
7%
ASD Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents
5 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
7%
Uganda Data Protection and Privacy Act (2019)
5 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
7%
Sweden Data Protection Act (Dataskyddslag, 2018:218)
5 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
7%
SOC 2
5 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
7%
UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI
5 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
7%
DAMA-DMBOK2 - Data Management Body of Knowledge (2nd Edition)
5 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
7%
Armenia Law on Protection of Personal Data (2015)
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
SASB Standards
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
6%
Australian Privacy Principles (APPs)
4 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
6%
ISO 27799:2025
4 source controls mapped|9 target controls covered
6%
AWWA Cybersecurity Guidance for the Water Sector (American Water Works Association)
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
6%
FFIEC IT Examination Handbook
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 27010:2015
4 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 29134:2023
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
PCI PIN Security
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
6%
Azure Security Benchmark
4 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
PCI P2PE
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 27557:2022 - Organisational Privacy Risk Management
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
CISA Cross-Sector Cybersecurity Performance Goals (CPG) 2.0
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
6%
PCI SSF
4 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 27011:2024
4 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
6%
US ITAR and EAR - Export Control and Data Security
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
UK Data Protection Act 2018
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
TSA Pipeline Cybersecurity Directives
4 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
API 1164
4 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 27019:2024
4 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
6%
NIST SP 1800-32
4 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
6%
IEC 62443
4 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
6%
Annex 11 to EU GMP - Computerised Systems
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0
4 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
6%
US Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSC) Manufacturer and Importer Duties
4 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
6%
UK Defence Standard 05-138 - Cyber Security for Defence Suppliers
4 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
Telecommunications Sector Security Reforms (TSSR)
4 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
ITU-T X.805 - Security Architecture for End-to-End Communications
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
4%
ISO/IEC 29100:2024
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
4%
Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
4%
Estonia Personal Data Protection Act (Isikuandmete kaitse seadus, 2019)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
4%
Rhode Island Data Transparency and Privacy Protection Act (RIDTPPA)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
4%
Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programmes - Global Standards
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
4%
EASA Part-IS - Information Security in Aviation
3 source controls mapped|5 target controls covered
4%
NFPA 1600 - Standard on Continuity, Emergency, and Crisis Management
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
4%
APRA CPS 230 Operational Risk Management
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
4%
SANS Incident Handler's Handbook and PICERL Methodology
3 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
4%
ASIS SPC.1-2009 - Organizational Resilience Standard
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
4%
Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI)
3 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
4%
FFIEC Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT)
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
4%
ISO 28001:2007 Supply Chain Security Management
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
4%
Canada ITSG-33 - IT Security Risk Management
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
4%
ITIL 4
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
4%
ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
4%
UK Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
4%
ISO/IEC 25012:2008 - Data Quality Model
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
4%
Regulation on the European Health Data Space (EHDS)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
4%
Singapore AI Governance Framework
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
4%
RICS Rules of Conduct and Global Professional Standards
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
4%
SLSA
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
Sigstore - Software Artifact Signing and Verification
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
3%
SIG (Shared Assessments)
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
Secure by Design: A Guide for Manufacturers (CISA)
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
3%
OWASP SAMM
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
ISO/IEC 27043:2015
2 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
3%
IEC 62351 - Power Systems Communication Security
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
ISO/SAE 21434
2 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
3%
FBI CJIS Security Policy
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
3%
ICAO Annex 17 - Aviation Security (AVSEC)
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
Nebraska Data Privacy Act
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
ISO 26000:2010
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
ISO 22000:2018
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
South Korea Korea Internet Self-Governance Organisation (KISO) Code of Ethics
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
FedRAMP High
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
FedRAMP Moderate
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
TEFCA - Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
UK Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) - Water Industry
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
Nevada Gaming Control Board Cybersecurity Requirements
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
APRA CPS 234
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
ISO 22320:2018
2 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
3%
NRC 10 CFR 73.54 - Nuclear Facility Cybersecurity
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
US Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) and USCG Cybersecurity Requirements
2 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
3%
ISO/IEC 30111:2019
2 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
3%
NATO STANAG 4774 (Confidentiality Metadata Labels) and STANAG 4778 (Metadata Binding)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
FIDO2 / WebAuthn
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
FedRAMP Rev 5
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
1%
NSA Guidance for Transition to Quantum-Resistant Cryptography
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
1%
ISO/IEC 23837:2023
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
1%
ISO/IEC 29115:2013 - Entity Authentication Assurance Framework
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
W3C Verifiable Credentials (VC) Data Model 2.0
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
3GPP 5G Security Architecture (TS 33.501)
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
1%
IAIS Insurance Core Principles (ICPs)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
UK FCA/PRA Operational Resilience Framework
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
SEC Climate Disclosure Rule
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
French Sapin II Law (Law No. 2016-1691)
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
1%
Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) - Responsible Minerals Assurance Process
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
1%
ISO/IEC 27031:2011
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
ISO 22313:2020 - Guidance on Business Continuity Management Systems
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
UAE Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) Regulations
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
1%
AML/CTF Act 2006 (Australia)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
Kuwait National Cybersecurity Framework
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
SQF Code Edition 9 - Safe Quality Food
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
1%
ISO 26262:2018 - Functional Safety for Road Vehicles
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
ISO/IEC 29147:2018
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
ISO/IEC 27003:2017
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
APRA SPS 220 Risk Management (Superannuation)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
UK Modern Slavery Act 2015
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
Singapore Cybersecurity Act 2018
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
TCFD Recommendations
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
US Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) - Higher Education Safeguards Rule
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
ISO 45001:2018
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
ISO 14001:2015
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Standards Manual
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
Section 508 - ICT Accessibility (Revised)
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
1%
Latvia Personal Data Processing Law (Fizisko personu datu apstrades likums, 2018)
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
ISO 8000 - Data Quality
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
1%
Compare Saudi Arabia PDPL with Virginia CDPA

Coverage is not the same as your position

This page shows what Saudi Arabia PDPL overlaps with in general. Where your organisation actually stands, against the standard you are going for and the certifications you already hold, is a different question. Same graph and the same recorded refutations, scoped to you rather than to a pair.

The Compliance Position Diagnostic, $5,000 fixed, ten business days

What is Saudi Arabia PDPL and who does it apply to?

Saudi Arabia PDPL is a compliance framework from Saudi Arabia with 8 domains and 31 controls. Saudi Arabia's Personal Data Protection Law (Royal Decree M/19 of 2021 as amended by M/148 of 2023, in force 14 September 2023, fully enforced from 14 September 2024), with SDAIA's Implementing Regulation and the Regulation on Personal Data Transfer outside the Kingdom (v2.0, August 2024): data subject rights with 30-day responses, consent and its exceptions including assessed legitimate interest, purpose limitation and minimisation, privacy policies and collection notices, security under NCA controls, 72-hour breach notification, impact assessments, processor agreements, disclosure limits, health and credit data, advertising and marketing consent, research, identity documents, cross-border transfers under adequacy, standard contractual clauses, binding common rules or certification with transfer risk assessments, DPOs, records of processing kept five years, cooperation with SDAIA and confidentiality. Fines up to five million riyals. Built from the complete Law and Regulations, read in full. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

What does Saudi Arabia PDPL actually require?

Saudi Arabia PDPL has 31 controls organised across 8 domains. The largest domains are Lawful processing, consent and purpose – Saudi Arabia PDPL (5 controls), Data subject rights and requests – Saudi Arabia PDPL (4 controls), Governance: DPO, records, cooperation and confidentiality – Saudi Arabia PDPL (4 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.

If I already comply with another framework, how much of Saudi Arabia PDPL do I already cover?

Saudi Arabia PDPL maps to 148 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are Virginia CDPA (19% coverage), Uruguay DPL (19% coverage), Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) (19% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.

How do I implement Saudi Arabia PDPL?

Start your Saudi Arabia PDPL compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about Saudi Arabia PDPL requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 31 controls and track your progress.

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