Qatar’s Cabinet approved a draft law on cloud computing during its weekly meeting on Wednesday, aiming to establish a comprehensive legal framework for digital data storage, disclosure, and protection within the country. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the Amiri Diwan.

Prepared by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in coordination with the Communications Regulatory Authority and relevant entities, the proposed legislation is designed to enhance the security of digital data while setting clear guidelines for lawful access to information. It emphasizes a balance between the needs of law enforcement agencies and the protection of individuals’ privacy rights.

The draft law also aims to bolster international cooperation in the domain of cloud computing and digital data management, aligning with Qatar’s broader digital transformation goals. By doing so, the legislation seeks to position Qatar as a trusted regional hub for data hosting and cloud services, encouraging investment in data centers and related infrastructure.

Key provisions of the draft law outline responsibilities for data service providers and telecommunications operators, including mandates for open and neutral access to cloud services, fair pricing practices, non-discriminatory treatment, and interoperability standards. The legislation further supports consumer freedom to select service providers and includes transparency requirements alongside frameworks for mutual legal assistance.

Following its approval by the Cabinet, the draft law will now be forwarded to the Shura Council for further consideration and deliberation.

At the start of the Cabinet session, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi reiterated Qatar’s strong condemnation of recent attacks attributed to the Islamic Republic of Iran against Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait.