Compliance guide
PDPL for Saudi E-Commerce Stores
If your store collects customer names, phone numbers, emails, or addresses, you are handling personal data. This guide explains core PDPL practices in plain language.
1) What data is usually collected?
Collect only what is needed to process orders and support customers. Every unnecessary field increases compliance and operational risk.
| Data type | Acceptable purpose |
|---|---|
| Name + phone | Order confirmation and delivery/support communication |
| Address | Shipping and invoicing |
| Order confirmation and updates | |
| Additional fields | Collect only if there is a clear and declared need |
2) How to write a clear privacy policy
Good privacy policies are clear, not long. Cover four basics:
- What data do you collect?
- Why do you collect it?
- Who may receive it (for example shipping or payment partners)?
- How can users request correction/deletion?
Practical tip:
Place your privacy policy link in footer and checkout pages so customers can review it before placing an order.
3) Internal access controls
Not every team member needs full access to all customer data. Set role-based access.
- Support: only required contact details.
- Operations/shipping: order and address data.
- Marketing/analytics: prefer aggregated data where possible.
Warning:
Avoid exporting customer data outside official tools unless strictly required and adequately protected.
4) Customer deletion/correction requests
Create a simple written internal procedure:
- Receive request through a clear channel (email/form).
- Verify identity of the requester.
- Execute request or explain legal limitation clearly.
- Log what was done and when.