The UAE has significantly enhanced its commitment to data privacy with the implementation of Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL), which became fully effective in September 2023. This comprehensive law aligns the UAE with international best practices like the GDPR. Key provisions impacting phone numbers include:
Explicit Consent: The PDPL mandates clear, explicit, and unambiguous consent from individuals before their personal data, including phone numbers, can be processed for any purpose, especially marketing. This strict requirement prevents the unauthorized collection and use of phone number lists.
Purpose Limitation and Data Minimization: Data oman phone number library must be collected only for specific, legitimate purposes, and only the data necessary for that purpose should be processed.
Data Subject Rights: Individuals have extensive rights to access, rectify, request erasure, and object to the processing of their data, particularly for direct marketing.
UAE Data Office: This newly established authority is responsible for overseeing the PDPL's implementation, developing policies, investigating violations, and imposing significant penalties for non-compliance (potentially including hefty fines and even criminal charges for unauthorized disclosure).
These regulations make any large-scale, public "phone number library" containing personal details illegal.
Telecommunications and Anti-Spam Regulations:
The UAE's telecommunications sector is regulated by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). Major telecom operators like Etisalat by e&, Du, and Virgin Mobile are bound by these regulations and privacy agreements.