Personal Data Protection Licensing And Accreditation Rules Issued By SDAIA In Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) has released two new regulatory documents that set detailed rules for licensing, auditing and accreditation linked to personal data protection for controllers and processors in the Kingdom, aiming to raise compliance and support safer data practices.

Both rulebooks are designed to promote consistent application of the Personal Data Protection Law and its Implementing Regulations, by guiding entities that process personal data to follow clear procedures, apply safeguards, and adopt governance measures that increase public confidence in data-driven services across Saudi Arabia.

The Rules Governing the Licensing of Activities for Issuing Accreditation Certificates to Controllers and Processors and the Auditing and Inspection of Personal Data Processing Activities define how organisations can obtain licences to perform accreditation, and to carry out auditing and inspection of personal data processing conducted by controllers and processors.

Through these licensing rules, SDAIA sets conditions and procedures for entities that wish to undertake accreditation certificate issuance or inspection services, so that oversight of personal data processing activities is organised, consistent and aligned with the wider framework for personal data protection in the Kingdom.

The separate Rules Governing the Issuance of Accreditation Certificates to Controllers and Processors focus on the entities that fall under the Personal Data Protection Law, aiming to improve their internal practices and procedures, and to ensure that controllers and processors can demonstrate structured compliance with personal data protection requirements.

These accreditation rules help entities show that they meet the standards in the Personal Data Protection Law, its Implementing Regulations and related documents issued by the competent authority, including rules on applying appropriate protections when personal data is disclosed or transferred outside Saudi Arabia.

SDAIA personal data protection framework and next steps

By encouraging controllers and processors to seek accreditation and operate under licensed audit and inspection regimes, SDAIA expects stronger regulatory practices around personal data processing, with clearer responsibilities for entities handling personal data and greater levels of trust among individuals who use digital products and services.

SDAIA plans to announce the opening date for registration through the National Data Governance Platform, which will prepare for receiving formal licence applications; at the same time, SDAIA will publish the detailed standards that will govern these activities and the criteria applied when issuing accreditation certificates.

The two regulatory documents can be accessed through SDAIA’s official website via the designated links, and form part of SDAIA’s continuing work to develop the national personal data protection framework, as reported by SPA, with publication times recorded as 23:02 local time and 20:02 GMT on 01-03.

With inputs from SPA