Data Protection Laws of the World Handbook: Second Edition - Panama

LAW

In recent years, Panama has taken significant legislative steps to regulate electronic data protection and internet commerce. However, this regime remains a work in progress. The primary laws and regulations thus far enacted are Law 51 of 22 July 2008, as amended by Law 82 of 9 November 2012 ("Law 51"), and Executive Decree No. 40 of 19 May 2009 ("Decree 40"). The central purpose of both Law 51 and Decree 40 is to regulate the creation, utilization and storage of electronic documents and signatures in Panama, through a registration process and the supervision of providers of data storage services. Law 51 and Decree 40 provide for enforcement through the General Directorate of Electronic Commerce (Dirección General de Comercio Electrónico) ("DGCE").