Overview
Personal Data Processing Activities Records Guideline – Introduction explains the purpose and regulatory context of maintaining Records of Personal Data Processing Activities under the Saudi Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL). It clarifies SDAIA’s role in issuing this Guideline to support Controllers in meeting their statutory documentation obligations, highlights the linkage to Article (31) of the PDPL and Article (33) of the Implementing Regulations, and confirms that the Guideline provides practical assistance, including a sample RoPA template.
This section also emphasizes that the Guideline is interpretive in nature and does not replace the Law or its Implementing Regulations.
SDAIA's Official Text
The text below reproduces official PDPL law, regulation, or guideline issued by the Saudi Data & AI Authority, verified against the original SDAIA source. No changes or reinterpretation applied.
Introduction
In fulfillment of its mandate to raise awareness among entities subject to the provisions of the Personal Data Protection Law, the “Law” and its Implementing Regulations, and to enable those entities to understand their obligations under Article (31) of the Law and Article (33) of the Implementing Regulations, the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) has issued this Guideline to assist entities in preparing records of personal data processing activities.
This Guideline also provides a sample template for the records of personal data processing activities, designed to assist Controllers in complying with the Law’s provisions and Implementing Regulations when preparing their records of personal data processing activities. The terms and phrases used in this Guideline shall be construed in accordance with the definitions provided in the Law and its Implementing Regulations. This Guideline shall not be considered a binding legal document, nor shall it substitute consulting the Law and its Implementing Regulations, which shall constitute the regulatory reference for all matters related to the application of the Law’s provisions.
Plain-Language Explanation
The explanation below is provided to help you understand the SDAIA’s legal text and does not replace or override the official PDPL law, regulation, or guideline.
Regulatory Purpose of the Guideline
Legal Basis for RoPA Obligations
Practical Support and Template Use
Interpretation and Non-Binding Nature
This section confirms that all terms and phrases used in the Guideline follow the definitions set out in the PDPL and its Implementing Regulations. It also makes clear that the Guideline is not legally binding and does not replace the Law or Regulations, which remain the authoritative legal reference for compliance and enforcement purposes.
