A practical overview under Bahrain’s Personal Data Protection Law
On 6 September 2026, Bahrain’s Personal Data Protection Authority (PDPA) announced that five entities had been licensed to provide External Data Protection Officer (DPO) services in Bahrain. This makes outsourcing the DPO function a more practical option for businesses seeking specialist data protection support.
What is a DPO?
A DPO is a regulated data protection function under Bahrain’s Personal Data Protection Law, Law No. 30 of 2018 (PDPL).
The DPO assists the Data Controller with PDPL compliance, coordinates with the Personal Data Protection Authority and monitors processing activities. Appointing a DPO does not transfer the Data Controller’s legal responsibility to the DPO.