Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The new Statistics Law, published in Umm Al-Qura newspaper, emphasizes ensuring confidentiality of data and information collected for statistical purposes. It prohibits any entity or individual from accessing or using the data for purposes other than statistical purposes or against its providers.

The law clarified that the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) can—after modifying the data to ensure anonymity—make data available for research and study purposes, while prohibiting the disclosure of any confidential information from the part of the authority's employees or collaborators.

The law grants the GASTAT the authority to seek assistance from public entities or contract with private entities to conduct surveys. This is with a condition that data protection is ensured and that no individual is permitted to exploit their job or contractual status to obtain information in violation of the provisions of the law.

The law also obligates public entities to cooperate with the authority in preparing international statistics, designing standards and guidelines, and exchanging information on best statistical practices.