How will the new EU Data privacy law affect the UAE

The biggest shake-up in data privacy will come into effect in the EU, with many in the UAE also likely to be affected by the changes. New General Data Protection Regulation rules will mean companies must put privacy at the centre of all new applications and processes under EU law.

In the wake of a series of data sharing scandals in the online world, many businesses here will also have to change the way they operate as a result of GDPR rules.

How will this affect UAE consumers

The regulations cover data protection and privacy for everyone in the European Union, European Economic Area, those travelling to the continent or doing business there.     From May 25, consumers will be asked to provide explicit, affirmative consent for their personal data to be used and processed.

Consumers will now have the right to ask for access to their data to be rectified or deleted.

The new regulation will affect every organisation across the globe that wants to do business with an individual or EU company.

Why is this happening now

New rules were required to keep up with the huge amount of digital data being created. Also, a series of scandals over data sharing without consent raised questions in recent months of how to secure our information online. The most famous case involved Cambridge Analytica, who was accused of using the data of more than 87 million Facebook users without consent.

The information was allegedly used inappropriately to influence voter opinion during global elections.“Recent headlines have shown organizations need to do more to safeguard the data of private individuals,” said Giampiero Nanni, EMEA Government Affairs at cybersecurity specialists Symantec.”We’ve seen mega breaches resulting in the theft of consumers’ personal information, which can then be used to commit identity and financial fraud.”

What will change

The GDPR will sweep away the EU’s outdated privacy legislation and harmonise how data is processed and handled across the region.

The new regulation will affect every organisation across the globe that wants to trade with the EU. Failure to report data breaches will also now carry substantial financial penalties of up to €20 million or four percent of annual turnover, whichever is greater.

Data controllers will have to immediately notify consumers about the risks and measures taken to mitigate any data breaches, such as changing passwords or cancelling credit cards.

What are businesses in the UAE doing about GDPR

The changes have been in the pipeline for some time, but may still be a wake-up call for some.

Any business looking to trade with Europe will need to change the way it operates and abide by the new EU data sharing regulations, or face hefty fines.

UAE launches 10-year residency visas for investors, specialists

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced the decision after chairing a Cabinet meeting.

10-year residency visas; 100% foreign ownership

Taking to Twitter, Sheikh Mohammed also said global investors can have 100 per cent ownership of their companies in the country.

Investors and specialists such as doctors and engineers will receive UAE residency visas valid for up to 10 years. The families of these categories of expatriates will also receive the same visa validity. Top performing students are also eligible for the 10-year residency visa scheme.

The system will grant investors and talents up to 10-year residency visas for specialists in medical, scientific, research and technical fields, as well as for all scientists and innovators, entrepreneurs and innovators as well as five-year residency visas for students studying in the UAE, and 10-year visas for exceptional students.

The aim is to make UAE an incubator for creators and a destination for investors.

Visa extension for students

The UAE Vice-President has directed the bodies concerned to implement the decisions by the end of the year. He has also directed them to review the current residence visa scheme to extend the duration of the visa validity of dependents after they complete their university studies "to ease up their future residence in the UAE".

This will give them the opportunity to study their practical options in the future.

"The UAE will remain an incubator for innovators and a hub for investors," Sheikh Mohammed tweeted. "Our open environment, tolerant values, infrastructure and flexible legislations constitute the best plan to attract global investments and exceptional talents. The UAE will remain a land of opportunities. It is the best environment to realise the dreams of humans and unleash their exceptional potentialities."

Sheikh Mohammed tweeted late Sunday 20^th May night that the decision will be enforced by third quarter of this year:

The National Media Council unveils new regulations for electronic media in UAE

The National Media Council unveiled a set of regulations for electronic media, governing all online activities including e-commerce, publishing and selling of print, video and audio material as well as advertising.

The new guidelines apply to news websites, electronic publishing outlets, and on-demand printing, including commercial activities conducted through social media within the UAE, Mansour Al Mansouri, director-general of the National Media Council, told a news conference in Abu Dhabi.

According to the new regulations, social media influencers who promote brands or do e-commerce in the UAE will now have to get a licence from the National Media Council.

The new code of practice, however, does not apply to personal websites and bloggers.

“The regulations seek to help the UAE media sector remain on top of the rapid developments in electronic media, in addition to enriching and organising digital content, and ensuring that media material respects the religious, cultural and social values of the UAE, all the while promoting freedom of expression and constructive dialogue,” Al Mansouri said.

Al Mansouri said the new code of practice provides for balanced and responsible media content that respects the privacy of individuals and protects the public, especially children, from the negative or harmful material.

Media enterprises have three months to ensure their activities fully comply with the new guidelines.

Websites of licensed traditional media such as television, radio, newspapers and magazines are exempt and do not need to secure new licences, Al Mansouri said.

Also exempt are websites of schools, colleges and universities as well as government entities.

Companies registered in free zones shall be subject to the regulation.

Al Mansouri, however, cautioned that all electronic media activities, whether covered by the regulations or not, are necessarily subject to the principles and standards of governing media content in the country.

Al Mansouri said the new guidelines seek to enhance the contribution of electronic media to the wider publishing industry, providing legal protection for the outlets and enhancing their competitiveness, all in an effort to increase advertising spend and spur the sector’s growth as a whole.

The new regulations are part of the NMC’s plan to promote an advanced legislative and regulatory environment for the UAE media sector, keeping it abreast of all technological developments that have transformed media in recent times.

“Today, electronic media has become highly influential and widespread tool; it is imperative that we enhance its reliability. Digital media is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Middle East, especially videos, games and e-books. Regulating this sector will attract new global investments which, in turn, will improve its development and competitiveness,” Al Mansouri said.