National Data Privacy Office (NDPO) Celebrates Data Privacy Day 2023

The National Data Privacy Office (NDPO), a department of the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), celebrated Data Privacy Day, which is marked every year on January 28th.

NDPO was established under the National Cyber Governance and Assurance Affairs of NCSA to oversee the implementation of Qatar’s Law No 13 of 2016: Personal Data Privacy Protection Law (PDPPL). The office is the Competent Department responsible for ensuring compliance with PDPPL, developing and publishing relevant guidelines, and engaging stakeholders. 

As part of its objectives, NDPO aims to increase awareness of privacy rights that PDPPL gives individuals, which include the right to personal data protection and lawful processing, the right to withdraw consent, the right to be notified of inaccurate disclosure, and the right to access or erasure. Regarding controller’s obligations, NDPO conducts awareness on how controllers can have the appropriate administrative, technical, and financial precautions to protect personal data. In this regard, NDPO has created various guidelines and tools to support controllers in complying with PDPPL.

In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), the Director of National Cyber Governance and Assurance Affairs of NCSA, Eng. Dana Al Abdulla highlighted that Qatar was the first country in the Gulf region to issue a law to protect personal data. She added that this reflects Qatar’s commitment to protecting personal data privacy. 

Eng. Dana also stressed that awareness is critical in personal data privacy protection, especially in light of continuous technological development. Hence, she explained that an awareness campaign had been launched on social media platforms, and more projects would be implemented in the near future.

For more information or clarification, please email us at privacy@ncsa.gov.qa.