Lebanon Data Protection Law and the GDPR

The concept of data is a contemporary notion, which is why governments around the world, including the Lebanese government, struggled to tackle the issues related to data protection. However, by 2017, 120 countries had already enacted a data protection law, leaving Lebanon behind. Finally, on 10 October 2018, the Parliament enacted Lebanon Law No. 81/2018 on E-Transactions and Personal Data.This Legislative Insight aims at assessing and analysing the data protection provided for in Lebanon Law No. 81/2018 in light of international standards, specifically the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Why data protection?

With the exponential increase of online platforms such as websites, applications and browsers, the risks that come with preserving the privacy of online users have also increased. This situation is dangerous for the consumers. Given the current affairs, such as the Cambridge Analytica Scandal, it’s been proven that data is one of the most precious currency in the modern world. Therefore, an effective and comprehensive law that regulates data usage and storage is vital in order to ensure ethical and fair use of this currency.