Mohammed bin Rashid signs Law that regulates digital services in Dubai
As the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, has issued Law No (9) of 2022, regulating the provision of digital services in Dubai. The law aims to accelerate the emirate’s digital transformation, improve the delivery of digital services and promote the digitisation of services in both the public and private sectors.
Under the Law and its decisions, public institutions and judicial bodies, including the Dubai Courts and Dubai Public Prosecution Authority, as well as non-government organisations in Dubai, are required to provide digital services to their customers. The Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai will decide on the various stages of implementation of the Law in accordance with the recommendations of the Dubai Digital Authority.
The Law sets out the conditions for the provision of digital services and the acceptance of digital identifiers for subscription services, as well as cybersecurity requirements set by the Dubai e-Security Centre. The Law also covers conditions for electronic payment solutions approved by the Dubai Department of Finance; continuity of services in case of failures; digital services approved by the Dubai Digital Authority; provision of services in Arabic, English and other languages.
According to the Law, digital services provided in Dubai must be user-friendly and accessible to people with disabilities at no extra cost. The Dubai Digital Authority, in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Dubai Executive Council and the Dubai e-Security Centre, may exempt an organisation from fulfilling any of these conditions.
The law stipulates that customers must update the information provided to digital service providers and comply with the conditions set by the organisation. Under the law, customers will be held liable for misuse of services and non-compliance with established procedures.
Under the new law, an organisation can outsource its digital services to a public or private company, subject to the approval of the relevant authorities and the Department of Finance. The outsourcing agreement must clearly spell out the responsibilities of each party, including the duration of the contract and confidentiality requirements, as well as the rules for the provision of digital services.
The Director General of the Dubai Digital Authority, in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Dubai Executive Council, shall issue the decisions and technical requirements necessary to implement this Law. These decisions shall be published in the Official Gazette and the technical requirements shall be published on the official website of the Dubai Digital Authority.
All digital service providers in Dubai must comply with the provisions of this Law within one year of its enactment. The Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council may extend this period for a similar period based on the recommendations of the Dubai Digital Authority.
The Act also stipulates that federal and local legislation on digital transactions and digital signatures will apply to digital services in Dubai.
This Law shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
.@HHShkMohd issues Law No. (9) of 2022 regulating the provision of digital services in #Dubai. The Law seeks to accelerate the emirate’s digital transformation, enhance the provision of digital services, & promote the digitisation of services in both the public & private sectors.
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 4, 2022
Follow our Telegram Chanel
