On September 17, 2023, the Jordanian Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (JPDPA), which regulates privacy in Jordan, was issued and entered into force on March 17, 2024. In issuing the JPDPA, Jordan has become one of the leading countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to regulate and govern personal information protection rules and regulations. The JPDPA resembles the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which has been in effect since May 25, 2018, aiming to protect individuals' privacy and personal data in light of economic, business, and commercial rapid growth.  

However, in examining both the GDPR and the JPDPA, it becomes evident that while both regulations share the common goal of protecting individuals' data protection, privacy, and security, there are distinguished differences in their methods, scope, and implementation. In part one of this comparative series, Mariana Abudayah, of Nsair & Partners – Lawyers, explores the differences in the scope, definitions, and legal bases for processing to gain an inclusive and better understanding of the two frameworks.  

In an increasingly interconnected world, establishing regulations to protect personal data in transactions between individuals, data controllers, and data processors has become necessary. This is particularly important for transactions between companies and individuals located in different countries. In the following Insight article, Mariana Abudayah, from Nsair & Partners - Lawyers, provides an overview of Jordan's ongoing efforts to address this pressing issue. Until now, Jordan has not issued a data protection law. However, the country is currently undergoing an assessment and review process by the Economic Committee at the Jordanian Parliament to develop a Data Protection Bill (the Bill). This article analyses the key aspects of the Bill, shedding light on its significance in safeguarding personal data and fostering secure cross-border transactions.