KSA PDPL » Personal Data Destruction, Anonymization, and Pseudonymisation Guideline – Fourth: General Guidelines

Personal Data Destruction, Anonymization, and Pseudonymisation Guideline – Fourth: General Guidelines

This article is verified from SDAIA
halaprivacy.com
Athif Mohammed
Published: November 17, 2025
Updated: December 23, 2025

Overview

Personal Data Destruction, Anonymization, and Pseudonymisation Guideline — Phase Fourth: General Guidelines establishes the foundational operational rules that Controllers must follow when destroying, anonymizing, or pseudonymizing personal data under the Saudi Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL). This section reinforces compliance with the Law, Implementing Regulations, and sector-specific requirements, emphasizes staff training and accountability, mandates secure handling of both digital and physical records, and requires documented evidence of all anonymization and destruction activities.

These general guidelines help ensure that anonymization, destruction, and pseudonymisation activities are carried out securely, documented appropriately, and regularly reviewed and updated to address technological developments and emerging risks, in accordance with the requirements of the Law and 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.

Fourth: General Guidelines

All activities involving data anonymization, destruction, and Pseudonymisation shall be conducted in compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law, its Implementing Regulations, and any applicable regulatory requirements issued by relevant competent authorities.

All employees involved in data security shall be adequately trained on the importance of secure data Pseudonymisation and anonymization.

The Controller shall ensure that no personal data is lost, misplaced, or disclosed to any unauthorized third party during the destruction, anonymization, or Pseudonymisation process.

All printed documents shall be disposed of in a manner that renders the personal data irretrievable (e.g., shredding using secure shredding machines and disposing of the waste securely) in accordance with the regulatory requirements issued by relevant competent authorities.

Detailed records shall be maintained of all data anonymization and destruction activities, including the techniques used, the justification for their selection, and ensuring that such records are available upon request from the competent authority.

The Controller shall regularly review and update its data anonymization, destruction, and Pseudonymisation techniques to address emerging risks and technological advancements.

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.

1. Compliance With Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

This provision clarifies that all anonymization, destruction, and pseudonymisation activities must be carried out in full compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), its Implementing Regulations, and any additional regulatory requirements issued by competent authorities. Controllers remain legally accountable for ensuring that these activities are lawful and properly governed.

2. Employee Training and Awareness

This provision requires that employees involved in data security or data handling receive appropriate training on anonymization and pseudonymisation. The intent is to reduce human error, ensure correct application of technical measures, and embed data protection awareness into operational practices.

3. Prevention of Unauthorized Disclosure

This provision emphasizes the Controller’s obligation to prevent personal data from being lost, misplaced, or disclosed to unauthorized parties during destruction, anonymization, or pseudonymisation processes. Appropriate safeguards must be applied throughout the entire operation to maintain confidentiality and integrity.

4. Secure Disposal of Physical Records

This provision addresses the destruction of physical documents containing personal data. It requires that printed materials be disposed of using secure methods, such as shredding and controlled waste disposal, so that personal data cannot be reconstructed or retrieved.

5. Documentation and Recordkeeping Obligations

This provision requires Controllers to maintain detailed records of all anonymization and destruction activities. These records must document the techniques used, the reasons for selecting those techniques, and must be made available to the competent authority upon request to demonstrate compliance.

6. Ongoing Review and Technical Updates

This provision obligates Controllers to regularly review and update their anonymization, destruction, and pseudonymisation techniques. The objective is to ensure continued effectiveness in light of emerging risks, technological developments, and changes in processing practices.

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