Abstract

This study examines the scope and effectiveness of the criminal protection afforded to personal data in the State of Qatar amid accelerating digital transformation. It analyzes Qatar’s Personal Data Privacy Protection Law No. 13 of 2016 and Cybercrime Prevention Law No. 14 of 2014, while considering their relationship with the Penal Code and the procedural framework governing the investigation of cybercrime. The study adopts a descriptive, analytical, and comparative approach: it clarifies the legal concept of personal data, analyzes the material and mental elements of offenses involving their unlawful access, interception, disclosure, alteration, or destruction, and evaluates the adequacy of the applicable penalties and enforcement mechanisms. The findings indicate that Qatari legislation provides a significant and complementary framework combining preventive, administrative, and criminal safeguards. Nevertheless, further legislative and institutional development is needed to address mass data breaches, serious negligence, automated attacks, artificial intelligence, and the cross-border nature of digital evidence. The study recommends clarifying criminal liability for serious negligence, strengthening specialized investigative and judicial capacity, improving breach-reporting mechanisms, and expanding international cooperation while preserving due-process guarantees and the rights of data subjects.

Keywords

Criminal Protection; Personal Data; Artificial Intelligence; Legal Awareness.