02 Jun 2025

In today’s digital world, data privacy has become a cornerstone of customer trust and operational compliance. For insurers like Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), handling sensitive data responsibly is both a legal obligation and a business imperative. Simultaneously, the landscape of data privacy regulations is also evolving rapidly, especially in the UAE, and this is reshaping how insurance companies operate.

Take for instance the UAE’s Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data (PDPL), which became effective from January 2022 as the country’s first comprehensive data protection framework (u.ae). Amongst its objectives, this framework mandates explicit consent for personal data processing and it grants individuals rights to access, correct, or delete their data.

Alongside the federal law, financial free zones like Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) are obligated to enforce data protection regulations aligned with global standards such as the EU’s GDPR (Clyde & Co).

So, what does that mean for insurers? These regulations affect many aspects of the way insurers operate such as how we obtain clear customer consent, manage data subject requests, and handle data. Insurers must also promptly report data breaches, making robust cybersecurity and incident response protocols indispensable. Going further, it’s also a requirement that cross-border data transfers follow strict conditions to ensure personal data is protected not only in the UAE but beyond our borders.

At ADNIC, we’re proactive when it comes to adopting and following new regulations. Our privacy policy for instance reflects our strong commitment to transparency and customer rights (ADNIC Privacy Policy).

Looking ahead, data privacy will remain central to insurance operations, and at ADNIC, we will continue to invest in advanced data management systems, employee training, and customer communication to align with these regulations. We recognise that by doing so, we not only ensure compliance but we can also strengthen customer trust.

As data privacy regulations continue to reshape the insurance industry’s landscape, ADNIC sees these changes as opportunities to enhance operational resilience and to deepen customer relationships. Essentially, updated regulations serve to reinforce the central mission of insurance: which is to reduce financial uncertainty and make accidental loss manageable.