His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Law No 13 of 2016 on Thursday to protect personal data, that stipulates fines up to QR5m if violated. 

The law also puts a ban on sending electronic messages to individuals related to shopping, without their approval.

However, the law does not apply to individual data processed by the person himself or at family level or data processed for official statistical requirements, reports The Peninsula.

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It may be noted that any individual has the right to protect the privacy of personal data under the provisions of the law and that data should not be processed unless it is in a transparent, confident and trusted manner, respecting human dignity.

A fine up to QR 1m may be levied on individuals or legal personalities if they process personal data without the consent of person concerned or if it is not for any legal purpose.

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Moreover, the law also states that an Individual has the right to withdraw his previous approval at any time,  for processing his personal data or to object processing the data if he felt it is not necessary, prejudiced or illegal.

The Individual also has the right to delete his personal data  when its purpose for processing is met or when he feels that there is no need to continue to keep his data.

Individuals shall also be informed that the data has been processed and its purpose, its disclosure and to have a copy of his personal data after paying the required fees. A ministerial decision will be issued to regulate the procedures and how the individuals could practice their rights.

The law makes it mandatory that those handling or processing personal data must take all the required measures to protect it from being lost, damaged, modified or disclosed or made accessible to someone who is not supposed to access it. Moreover, it also holds that personal data of a confidential nature should not be processed without permission from the authorities concerned.

These data may relate to race, children, health, physical or psychological situation, religious beliefs, marital relations and criminal record. The minister has the right to add more elements to this, as The Peninsula reports.

Handler and owners of children-oriented electronic websites must specify the children’s data, its usage and the policies followed vis-a-vis the approval of the parent or guardian.

A violation of the law are punishable with fines that may go up to QR5m. The law, as such, is effective starting from its date of publication in the official gazette.

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