Overview
Guidelines for Binding Common Rules (BCR) for Personal Data Transfer – Personal Data Protection Measures describes the Personal Data protection measures implemented through the Binding Common Rules. It covers governance structures, transparency and processing requirements, safeguards across the data lifecycle, security and breach handling, impact assessments, and restrictions on subsequent transfers, with supporting documents and references required.
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.
Personal Data Protection Measures
Detailed explanations on how data protection measures are taken through the Binding Common Rules. Supporting documents and references relevant to the BCR must be provided.
- Appointment of Personal Data Protection Officer(s): Detail the process for appointing Personal Data Protection Officers responsible for overseeing data protection compliance. Include the criteria for selection, roles, and responsibilities in accordance with provisions of the Law and Regulations.
- Cooperation among the Network of Personal Data Protection Officer(s) within the Group: Describe how Personal Data Protection Officers within the Group cooperate to ensure consistent Personal Data Protection practices.
- Roles and Responsibilities of Individuals and Cooperation with the DPO Network: Define the roles and responsibilities of individuals involved and their cooperation with the network of Personal Data Protection Officers within the Group.
- Requirements for Transparency: Specify the measures taken to ensure transparency in Personal Data processing activities conducted by the entity, without prejudice to the Law and Regulations.
- Requirements for Personal Data Processing: Describe how Personal Data is processed while ensuring compliance with the BCR in accordance with the Law and Regulations.
- Requirements for Purpose Limitation and Legal Basis: Detail how Personal Data processing is limited to specific and legitimate purposes based on a legal basis, in compliance with the Law and Regulations.
- Requirements for Minimum Amount of Personal Data: Outline the measures taken to ensure that only the minimum necessary Personal Data is collected and processed, in compliance with the Law and Regulations.
- Personal Data Retention and Deletion Periods: Describe Personal Data retention and deletion periods in accordance with the Law and Regulations, including an explanation of data retention and destruction policies.
- Requirements for Sensitive Data: Describe additional measures taken when processing Sensitive Data, as applicable, in compliance with the Law and Regulations. Requirements for Maintaining Records of
- Personal Data Processing Activities: Describe how records of Personal Data processing activities are maintained in compliance with the Law and Regulations.
- Requirements for Impact Assessment: Explain the procedures for conducting data protection impact assessments in compliance with the Law and Regulations.
- Requirements for Personal Data Quality: Describe measures taken to ensure accuracy and quality of Personal Data in compliance with the Law and Regulations.
- Requirements for Personal Data Security: Describe the security measures implemented to protect Personal Data in compliance with the Law and Regulations. Requirements for Personal Data Breach
- Incident Notifications: Describe the procedures and measures for notifying Personal Data breach incidents in compliance with the Law and Regulations.
- Restrictions Regarding Subsequent Transfers: Describe the restrictions on transferring Personal Data to third parties in compliance with the Law and Regulations.
- Requirements for Conducting Transfer Impact Assessment: Describe the procedures for assessing the impact of Personal Data transfers in compliance with the Law and Regulations.
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.
Governance and Oversight Measures
This provision explains that data protection measures under the Binding Common Rules must be documented and supported by relevant references. It includes the appointment of Personal Data Protection Officers, their roles and responsibilities, and cooperation among DPOs across the Group.
Transparency and Processing Controls
This provision explains that transparency measures must be in place for Personal Data processing activities and that processing must be conducted in compliance with the Binding Common Rules, the Law, and the Regulations, including adherence to purpose limitation and legal basis requirements.
Data Minimization and Lifecycle Management
This provision explains that measures must ensure the collection and processing of only the minimum necessary Personal Data. It also explains that retention and deletion periods must be defined, supported by data retention and destruction policies.
Safeguards for Sensitive Data and Processing Records
This provision explains that additional measures must apply when processing Sensitive Data and that records of Personal Data processing activities must be maintained in accordance with the Law and Regulations.
Risk, Quality, and Security Controls
This provision explains that procedures must exist for conducting impact assessments, ensuring Personal Data quality, and implementing security measures to protect Personal Data.
Breach Handling and Transfer Restrictions
This provision explains that procedures must be in place for Personal Data breach incident notifications and that restrictions apply to subsequent transfers of Personal Data to third parties. It also explains that Transfer Impact Assessments (TIA) must be conducted to evaluate the impact of Personal Data transfers.
