For a contractor, personal data includes employee records, passports and visas, payroll and bank details, and customer and supplier contacts. Businesses need a lawful basis for processing, appropriate security, and a way to answer requests from individuals.
Some records, such as payroll and tax records, must also be kept for set periods under other laws, which limits what can be erased on request.
The rule in figures
| Rule | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The UAE Personal Data Protection Law governs how businesses collect and use personal data (free zones with their own data-protection law, such as DIFC and ADGM, follow those) | PDPL | Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on the Protection of Personal Data |
Last reviewed 14 Nov 2026. A summary, not tax or legal advice. Confirm your obligations with an adviser.
How Civova handles it
Civova keeps a register of the personal data you hold (purpose, lawful basis and retention) and handles erasure requests while keeping the financial records the law requires.