Amman: The Cabinet’s recent endorsement of mandating reasons for the 2025 Data Disclosure Bylaw will strengthen trust in Jordan’s digital ecosystem while ensuring proper data handling according to global standards, Digital Economy Minister Sami Smeirat told Petra in an interview.
According to Jordan News Agency, this approval represents a significant step in regulating personal data processing in Jordan according to international best practices. Smeirat made these remarks following the Cabinet’s decision to forward the draft to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for final procedural steps.
The bylaw aims to establish clear guidelines for data disclosure while ensuring data protection and preventing misuse, creating a regulatory framework that balances transparency with privacy protection. “Beyond protecting privacy, the bylaw ensures data minimization principles and appropriate retention periods, aligning with international legislative standards,” Smeirat explained.
The minister emphasized that the regulation complements the Personal Data Protection Law No. 24 of 2023 and will enhance Jordan’s position in international data protection indices, making the Kingdom more attractive for data center and cloud computing investments. “This bylaw represents an advanced step toward building a secure digital environment that supports our national economy and strengthens Jordan’s role as a regional technology hub, in line with our Economic Modernization Vision,” Smeirat added.
Jordan Chamber of Commerce ICT representative Haitham Al-Rawajbeh described the bylaw as crucial for strengthening the country’s data protection framework, noting it establishes clear controls for disclosure processes. “With increasing digitization, personal data protection has become essential. This bylaw prevents data exploitation for illegitimate purposes and requires strict conditions for disclosure,” Al-Rawajbeh said.
He highlighted several key benefits, including the establishment of a clear legal framework specifying authorized entities and minimum disclosure requirements, enhanced trust in e-commerce, alignment with global standards like GDPR, prevention of data misuse, and strengthened digital sovereignty. “In an era of increasing reliance on data for decision-making, countries must maintain control over citizens’ data. This bylaw regulates data flows within and outside Jordan to protect national interests,” Al-Rawajbeh explained.
Al-Rawajbeh noted that the bylaw aligns with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision by providing a clear legal environment that encourages both local and international companies to invest in data and digital services. He emphasized that a comprehensive data protection system would improve the business environment and attract global cloud service providers and data centers to Jordan.
The bylaw is issued pursuant to Article 24 of Personal Data Protection Law No. 24 of 2023, which stipulates that “the Cabinet shall issue regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this law, including conditions for data disclosure, persons to whom disclosure is permitted, and data allowed to be disclosed.” The draft includes specific obligations for data controllers and processors when disclosing information, including maintaining data protection and integrity, ensuring proportionality with the requested purpose, preventing impacts on individuals’ rights and privacy, and other conditions preserving the confidentiality of personal data.
The draft stipulates that disclosure must be limited to the minimum necessary data and that retention should only be for the period required to achieve the intended purpose. This regulation aligns with the objectives of the Personal Data Protection Law to establish regulatory frameworks for personal data preservation and processing within clear constraints, contributing to building trust in the digital economy and promoting e-commerce and electronic services in the Kingdom.
The bylaw also strengthens protection of citizens’ and residents’ privacy rights as established by constitutional provisions and relevant laws while creating an attractive environment for technology investments, supporting Jordan’s economic modernization objectives.