Panelists at a session during the event yesterday.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar launched its first national data privacy awareness campaign yesterday as the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) marked International Data Privacy Day, aiming to translate personal data protection laws into everyday digital practices for individuals and organisations across the country.
Held under the theme ‘Data Privacy Starts with You,’ the event combined public outreach activities with expert discussions and specialised workshops, underscoring Qatar’s commitment to strengthening trust, accountability, and responsible data use across its digital ecosystem.
NCSA President, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al-Farahid Al-Malki stated that Qatar is among the leading countries in the region to enact comprehensive legislation safeguarding personal data privacy. He noted that the law provides a robust legal framework governing the collection, processing, and lawful use of personal data, while ensuring the protection of individual rights.
“This framework contributes to building greater trust in digital services and supports the safe growth of Qatar’s digital economy,” Al-Malki said.
According to the agency, the campaign translates awareness into practical, everyday habits through clear and simple messages. These include thinking carefully before sharing personal data, providing only the minimum required information, avoiding the transmission of ID documents through insecure channels.
Other steps include protecting accounts with strong passwords, and respecting others’ privacy at home, in educational settings, and in the workplace. The campaign also addresses broader themes such as privacy responsibilities, legal controls on data disclosure, the ethical use of artificial intelligence, and individuals’ rights to safeguard their personal information.
Addressing the gathering, Director of Policy Affairs at NCSA Eng. Dana Yousif Al-Abdulla said the global data privacy landscape is entering a new phase marked by increasingly complex trade-offs.
“The tension between maximising data utility and enforcing minimisation, enabling artificial intelligence while preserving individual autonomy, and facilitating cross-border data flows while respecting sovereignty requirements has become central to how privacy frameworks evolve worldwide,” she said.
Al-Abdulla noted that courts and regulators globally are grappling with issues such as meaningful consent, proportionality, and transparency, particularly in areas like smart devices, targeted advertising, and large-scale analytics.
The director underlined that these challenges often require case-by-case assessments rather than universal solutions. She also emphasised that privacy governance today extends beyond legal interpretation, shaped by social expectations and business models, including debates around pay-or-consent mechanisms and the use of personal data in AI training systems. “The National Cyber Security Agency aspires to build a society where individuals understand their rights, institutions recognise their responsibilities, and professionals across sectors share a common language of accountability in data management,” Al-Abdulla added.
Speaking to The Peninsula, Eng. Ali Al-Kaabi of the NCSA said that this year’s International Data Privacy Day was particularly significant as it marked the launch of Qatar’s first national data privacy awareness campaign. “Our goal is to foster a culture of data privacy awareness as Qatar advances its digital transformation,” he said, adding that individuals must be fully aware of their rights under the law, while organisations must apply best practices and appropriate safeguards when handling personal data.
NCSA remarked that the campaign reflects its ongoing efforts to support national digital transformation while ensuring personal data remains protected under Qatar’s legal and regulatory framework.
