The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has announced a public consultation on proposed amendments to its Data Protection Regulations. The move aims to update the regulatory framework to address the rapid expansion of AI and its impact on personal data processing, ensuring that safety and privacy are embedded in new technologies from the ground up.
Quick Facts
- Proposed updates to DIFC Data Protection Regulations.
- Focuses on data safety in AI-native systems.
- Public consultation period ends on July 18, 2026.
Refining Rules for an AI-Native Jurisdiction
Building on updates made in 2023, the proposed amendments seek to clarify and enhance the rules governing how companies handle personal data within advanced AI systems. The key objective is to strengthen expectations for safe, ethical, and privacy-by-design development within the financial free zone.
The proposal introduces a new Regulation 11, which would empower the DIFC’s Commissioner of Data Protection to officially recognize accreditation and certification frameworks. It also refines Regulation 10 to better support high standards of accountability and governance as AI technology becomes more integrated into business operations.
A Focus on Practicality and Clarity
Jacques Visser, Chief Legal Officer at DIFC Authority, commented on the proposal and the need for an adaptable legal framework.
“As the use of AI and data-driven systems continues to develop, it is important that the regulatory framework remains practical, clear and able to respond to the way these technologies are being used. These amendments are intended to help provide that clarity, while supporting high standards of accountability and governance across DIFC.”
The proposed changes will also provide greater clarity on certification requirements and the role of the Autonomous Systems Officer (ASO), a position established to oversee the use of such technologies within an organization. Further details on the proposed regulations are available in Consultation Paper No. 3 of 2026 on the DIFC’s website.
About Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s most advanced financial centers, and the leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. With a track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across MEASA, the Centre connects these fast-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe and the Americas.
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 over 41,500 professionals working across over 5,500 active registered companies.
Source: Zawya
