UAE Data Protection & AI
ADGM: a financial free zone in Abu Dhabi
What it is, and where
Abu Dhabi's financial free zone, on Al Maryah Island, with its own legal system. Like the DIFC, its data law binds only companies registered inside it. Small as it is, the ADGM is a substantial international financial centre, concentrating a large amount of banking, asset-management and professional-services activity, so its reach belies its size.
Does it apply to me?
Only if your entity is set up in the ADGM.
What it asks of you
If you know the EU GDPR, you know the shape of this one: the 2021 regulations were modelled on it, and point users to UK guidance. A lawful basis, transparency, the full set of data-subject rights, security, breach notification, and controls on international transfers.
AI
No dedicated AI regime. AI is handled through the ordinary rules, for example the limits on purely automated decisions, rather than a separate framework.
Where to start
Treat it as GDPR-equivalent: if you are compliant in Europe you are most of the way there, then check the local specifics on registration and transfers.