PDPL consent management is now a daily task for any business that serves customers in Saudi Arabia. The grace period ended in September 2024. Since then, the regulator has started issuing real enforcement decisions. Here is what the law asks for, and how to prove you follow it.
💡 Quick take: Under the PDPL, having consent is not enough. You also need to show when and how you got it.
📜 What the PDPL Says About Consent
Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) covers any company that handles the personal data of people in the Kingdom. It applies to every industry, not just telecom. In many cases, consent is the legal basis for using someone’s data.
As a result, companies must collect consent clearly, record it, and honor it. They must also let people withdraw it. This is where strong PDPL consent management makes the difference.
🗓️ The PDPL Timeline at a Glance
The law was issued in 2021 and took effect on 14 September 2023. Businesses then had one more year to comply. That period closed on 14 September 2024, although some entities may have received extensions.
📡 Why Telecom Faces Two Regulators
The Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA) oversees the PDPL. Telecom operators also answer to the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST). In practice, this means two sets of expectations around subscriber data.
Enforcement is active too. SDAIA has confirmed dozens of violation decisions, including cases of marketing messages sent without consent. So this risk is no longer theoretical.
✅ What Regulators Expect from PDPL Consent Management
🛡️ PDPL Consent Management with Consentry
Consentry captures consent across SMS, USSD, app, web, and call center. It syncs preferences with your billing and CRM systems. It also keeps an audit-ready record at all times. To see how this lowers your exposure, read our post on how consent management reduces regulatory risk.
Is your PDPL consent process ready for an audit?
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the PDPL
Who must follow the PDPL?
Any business that handles the personal data of people in Saudi Arabia must follow it. This covers telecom, banking, retail, healthcare, and every other sector.
When did the PDPL become enforceable?
The law took effect on 14 September 2023. Most businesses then had until 14 September 2024 to comply.
Does the PDPL apply to marketing SMS?
Yes. Sending marketing messages without valid consent is one of the violations SDAIA has acted on. Check consent status before every campaign.
PDPL Consent Management in Practice
Is a spreadsheet enough to prove consent?
Rarely. Spreadsheets break down across channels and at scale. A platform keeps one timestamped record that is easy to export.
What should a business do first?
Start by mapping where consent is collected today. Then find the gaps, such as missing records or slow opt-outs, and fix those first.
Can one platform cover Saudi Arabia and other markets?
Yes, if it supports market-specific rules. This lets a group manage the PDPL, UAE, Kenya, and Nigeria rules in one system.