Executive Summary
Context
This report analyzes the impact of current and proposed policies and regulations on emerging technologies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The study uses the Internet Society’s Internet Impact Assessment Toolkit (the Toolkit), showing its usefulness in assessing complex regulatory landscapes and fostering an Internet Way of Networking.
The Internet Society, as a global advocate for an open, secure, and trustworthy Internet, developed the Toolkit to evaluate policy and regulatory proposals. A central aim of this study is to illustrate how the Toolkit can guide MENA policymakers in developing regulations that support innovation and mitigate risks without negatively impacting the Internet Way of Networking, thereby fostering innovation while safeguarding citizens’ rights and not undermining the foundational principles of the Internet.
The report assesses several Internet regulations, reflecting on the opportunities and challenges that they pose for two crucial emerging technologies – artificial intelligence and cloud and edge computing. The project assesses key regulations across six MENA countries – Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, focusing on four key areas:
- Data Governance – Regulations governing data storage, access, and cross-border transfers.
- Privacy Protection – Regulations ensuring user privacy, including protections against automated profiling.
- Intermediary Liability – The extent to which online platforms and service providers are held accountable for third-party content.
- Encryption Regulation – The legal frameworks affecting the use and availability of encryption technologies.
These regulations can overlap and have the potential to impact the open, global, and interoperable nature of the Internet, potentially leading to fragmentation.
To ensure a comprehensive assessment, the research incorporated input from policymakers in each of the six focus countries, as well as contributions from Internet Society experts. Key findings and preliminary recommendations were presented and refined through a workshop in Oman in July and a conference in Bahrain in December, where further stakeholder feedback was gathered. The stakeholders were introduced to the Toolkit, which was used throughout to evaluate how existing and proposed regulations align with global best practices and the core principles of the Internet.
Findings and Results
The study provided a comprehensive and current review of actual and proposed legislation in each of the six countries, to come to the following conclusions about their impact on emerging technologies and the broader Internet.
- Data Governance: Data localization requirements in several MENA countries may limit access to cloud services, hindering digital transformation. These regulations may also impact the availability and efficiency of AI applications, particularly in healthcare and financial services.
- Privacy: While many MENA countries have introduced data protection laws, restrictions on cross-border data transfers and gaps in protections against AI-driven profiling remain key issues.
- Intermediary Liability: The absence of clear legal protections for online platforms in most MENA countries increases legal risks, stifles local innovation, and might discourage investment in digital services.
- Encryption: Restrictions in some MENA countries threaten cybersecurity, privacy, and trust in digital services.
Conclusion
Governments in MENA are at a critical juncture in shaping digital policies that will influence innovation, investment, and the Internet’s openness. By adopting regulatory frameworks that support the Internet Way of Networking, critically assessed using the Toolkit, they can unlock the full potential of emerging technologies while preserving the fundamental benefits of a globally connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet. This analysis serves as both a specific assessment for the MENA region and a broader example of how the Toolkit can be employed by diverse stakeholders to promote an open, globally connected, secure, and trustworthy Internet.
