Finally, A Comprehensive New Data Privacy Law.

Due to its key geographic location, Panama´s economy has been inclined in favor of a well-developed service sector that has been traditionally attractive to both local and international companies. As such, it came somewhat as a surprise to many that, unlike other jurisdictions, Panama did not provide for a general legal framework that regulated data protection. There are some general concepts providing for the protection of personal data and privacy included in the Constitution and in the Criminal Code. The issue has been regulated in more detail in certain sector specific legislation, such as credit reporting, patients' history, banking and insurance sectors, amongst others. However, the rules provided therein are not applicable to other sectors in general.