Dubai issued a new law on April 4, 2022, regulating the provision of digital services in the emirate. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued the law.
The new law is meant to promote the digitisation of services in the public and private sectors.
The law states the conditions for providing digital services and adopting digital identities for obtaining subscribed services. It also says Dubai Electronic Security Centre sets cybersecurity requirements.
According to the law, government entities and judicial authorities, including Dubai Courts and Dubai Public Prosecution and non-government entities in Dubai, will be required to provide digital services to their customers from now on.
It also states the conditions for electronic payment solutions approved by the Department of Finance in Dubai; service continuity in the event of disruptions; digital services approved by the Digital Dubai Authority; provision of services must be given in Arabic, English, and other languages.
Also, the law states that the digital services provided in Dubai must be user-friendly and accessible to People of Determination at no extra fee.
The Digital Dubai Authority, in coordination with the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai and the Dubai Electronic Security Center, can exempt an entity (an individual or company) from any of these conditions.
The statement added that the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai would state how the law will be implemented, step by step, as per the recommendation made by the Digital Dubai Authority.
The Director-General of the Digital Dubai Authority, in coordination with the General Secretariat of The Executive Council of Dubai, will issue the decisions and technical requirements necessary to implement the law.
The technical requirements of the new law will be published on the Digital Dubai Authority’s official website. All digital service providers in Dubai must follow the provisions of the law within a year of its implementation.
However, the Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai can extend this deadline for a year or more after a recommendation from the Digital Dubai Authority is received.
Customers should update their information submitted to digital service providers and follow all the terms and conditions framed by the entity.
Under the new law, customers will be held accountable for misusing the service and not following the procedures given in that respect.
An entity can outsource its digital services to a public or private company, but prior approval should be taken from relevant authorities and the Department of Finance.
The contract, in the light of outsourcing, should clearly mention the responsibilities of each party, including contract duration and confidentiality requirements, and the rules for providing digital services.
The law also states that federal and local legislation on digital transactions and digital signatures will apply to digital services in Dubai.
