In a strategic move aimed at strengthening the digital infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority ( SDAIA ) has issued the General Rules for the Secondary Use of Data document. This step comes within a comprehensive regulatory framework that seeks to govern data sharing processes and maximize their benefits at the national level, serving the public interest and supporting the digital transformation process.
Details of the General Rules for Secondary Use of Data document
The new document primarily aims to establish precise controls and procedures governing requests for data sharing for purposes beyond its original collection, known as "secondary use." The rules focus on serving the public interest and fostering research, development, and innovation within the Kingdom.
Through these rules, SDAIA seeks to encourage governmental and semi-governmental entities to share their data in a secure and organized manner, which contributes to:
- Supporting decision-making based on facts and figures.
- Improving the efficiency of government agencies' operations and the services provided to beneficiaries.
- Enabling researchers and innovators to access reliable data to develop smart solutions.
The context of digital transformation and Vision 2030
This announcement cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Since the establishment of the Saudi Data & Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in 2019, the Kingdom has been spearheading a massive initiative to make data the "new oil" of the national economy. SDAIA is working to govern this sector to ensure the protection of personal data on the one hand, and to make non-sensitive data available to research and commercial sectors on the other, thereby strengthening the digital economy.
This document is a fundamental building block in completing the legislative system for data in Saudi Arabia, as it complements the Personal Data Protection System and national data governance policies, thus enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global center for technology and innovation.
The economic and research importance of the decision
Regulating the “secondary use of data” is of paramount importance at both the local and regional levels. Economically, the availability of data helps create new business models, supports AI startups, and reduces operational costs for government agencies by preventing duplication of data collection.
On the research level, making data available according to clear controls will remove bureaucratic obstacles for research centers and universities, thus accelerating the pace of scientific and technological innovation and supporting the implementation of ambitious national strategies and targets.
Document download link
The Authority called on interested parties, specialists, and concerned authorities to review the details of the document and the controls contained therein, as the “General Rules for Secondary Use of Data” document can be downloaded directly through this link .
