The Current State of Data Protection in Asia
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The data protection regulation landscape across several jurisdictions in the Asia region has been transforming rapidly.
With new comprehensive laws and updates on existing regulation constantly being legislated by countries in the region, data protection compliance will be a board level issue for many organisations operating in Asia.
In our new season, our cross-jurisdictional teams bring you updates from mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, the Middle East, Singapore and Indonesia, exploring the nuances of data privacy in this digital age.
This interactive podcast series brings you up to speed on these data privacy laws and how to stay ahead of the changes.
Listen to our renewed series
Episode 4 – Middle East – Personal Data Protection Law Developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Speakers: Nick Roudev, TMT Counsel, Dubai
There have been some major developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this year with the Personal Data Protection Law coming into force on 14 September 2024. Namely, the Saudi Data & AI Authority have been proactive in issuing guidelines to allow for organisations to better comply with the laws and regulations. Specifically, there are published amending regulations around the transfer of personal data outside of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Episode 3 – Thailand – Personal Data Protection Law: now enforced and clarified
Speakers: Patchara Suebwattanakul, Associate
After more than two years since its implementation, the Thai Personal Data Protection Act sees its first enforcement case. Regulators have taken action against the violation and imposed a major fine. This episode explores the highlights from Thailand’s inaugural enforcement case, shedding light on recent updates on key subordinate regulations which have been issued in the past year.
Episode 2 – Hong Kong SAR – AI and Cybersecurity updates
Speakers: Albert Yuen, Head of Hong Kong TMT
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the recent data privacy developments in the Hong Kong SAR relating to AI and cybersecurity. Regulators have been actively providing guidance on AI risks and related governance and compliance requirements. Follow along to learn how businesses can better navigate these evolving requirements.
Episode 1 – China – Adapting to continuous waves of new data regulations
Speakers: Alex Roberts, Head of China TMT, Co-Head of Games and Interactive Entertainment
The past year has witnessed rapid developments in mainland China’s data management and security framework. While multinationals are now benefiting from relaxed restrictions on cross-border data transfers, they contend with intensified regulatory scrutiny on other data management obligations. This highlights the recent regulatory and enforcement trends in China from data privacy, cyber and data security perspectives, and forecasts new regulations anticipated to come into effect in 2025.
Listen to our previous episodes
Episode 6 – Asia - Mastering data protection in APAC as an inhouse practitioner and trends for 2024
Speakers: Alex Roberts and Sarina Keung
A market wrap on our data protection podcast series which offers a whistle-stop tour at the evolving data privacy landscape in Southeast Asia. Our partner, Alex Roberts, and Head of Data Privacy Legal APAC at Barclays, Sarina Keung, discuss how legal and compliance teams in Asia-based multinationals may approach the challenge of navigating the complexity and growing number of data protection rules in the region, unfolding the likely trends in Hong Kong and APAC more widely where data protection interfaces with AI, cyber and online safety regimes.
Episode 5 – KSA - What multinationals should know about the Saudi Arabia’s New Personal Data Protection Law
Speakers: Alex Roberts and Nick Roudev
After two years of public consultations and amendments since its’ initial publication, the KSA Personal Data Protection Law was finally approved on 14 September 2023. Pending its’ formal effective date, organisations are currently bracing for full enforcement of the law. Our experts, Alex Roberts and Nick Roudev will share their views on the law, such as on its key provisions, how it differs from the pre-amended law and steps to take to comply with it. Listen now and keep up with the highly anticipated developments in KSA.
Episode 4 – Indonesia - Window for data compliance narrows
Speakers: Alex Roberts and Kevin E. Matindas
Indonesia’s first overarching legislation on data protection, the Personal Data Protection Law, was enacted on 17 October 2022. A year on, questions on how the law is enforced remain. In this episode, our partner Alex Roberts and managing associate Kevin E. Matindas will share their insights on the new law, including key compliance points to note, implementation to date, and future developments expected in Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia.
Episode 3 – Vietnam - Navigating Vietnam’s Emerging Data Protection Landscape
Speakers: Alex Roberts and Hien Nguyen
Vietnam issued its’ long-awaited Personal Data Protection Decree on 17 April 2023. Taking effect on 1 July 2023, this decree seeks to compile existing provisions on data protection from various other laws into one instrument. Our partner from Linklaters, Alex Roberts and senior associate from Linklaters’ alliance firm Allens, Hien Nguyen will discuss key things to note from the new decree, what actions should be taken to comply with it and future developments to be expected. Join us in dissecting one of the region’s latest data protection developments.
Episode 2 – Thailand - First Data Protection Law - one year on
Speakers: Alex Roberts and Nahsinee Luengrattanakorn
Thailand’s data protection regulation has been one of the most dynamic in the region, with multiple subordinate regulations being issued under the Thailand PDPA. This trend continues and new regulations are expected soon. In this episode, partner Alex Roberts and associate Nahsinee Luengrattanakorn share their insights on the data protection regime in Thailand, including on main provisions of the law, points to note from the subordinate regulations, and how to keep up with upcoming implementation. Join us and get up to speed with all the latest and upcoming developments in Thailand.
Episode 1 – India - Insights into its new Data Protection Act
Speakers: Alex Roberts and Deepa Christopher
The new Digital Personal Data Protection Bill sets out the first comprehensive data protection law for India. However, questions on how the new law will be implemented in practice remain at the forefront of organisations’ minds. In this episode, partner Alex Roberts is joined by Deepa Christopher, partner from TT&A, to discuss this long-awaited bill, touching on its main ideas, which key provisions to look out for and future developments to be expected. Tune in now to stay on top of the exciting developments in India.
