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January 31 2017

Costa Rica: Data Protection Amendments Reflect Country's 'Digital Maturity'

Amendments to Executive Decree No. 37554-JP, which supplement Law No. 8968 on the Protection of Individuals with Regards to the Processing of Personal Data 2011 ("the Data Protection Act"), have introduced new definitions of database, consent, data transfer and other key concepts.

According to Fabian Solis, Associate at Facio & Cañas, the Amendments should clarify issues that raised concerns in the public and private sectors of the Data Protection Act. The Amendments also simplify the procedures for database registration and clarify the role of financial institutions.

The Government has been trying to bring Costa Rican law in line with international standards and has recognized that bigger changes are needed.