COVID-19: Opportunity & Innovation in the Technology Sector in times of Crisis – A Middle East Perspective – Lexology

COVID-19: Opportunity & Innovation in the Technology Sector in times of Crisis – A Middle East Perspective – Lexology

While the crisis has generated a lot of challenges, it has also created opportunities particularly in the technology sector.. On 14 March, the UAE TRA announced the unblocking of Microsoft Teams and Zoom VoIP applications to enable remote working and home schooling for the duration of the crisis.. To help contain the spread of the virus, employers began implementing precautionary measures, such as temperature checks on employees and restrictions on business and personal travel.. Data protection authorities around the world, particularly in Europe, have been grappling with this issue for a few weeks with many of them issuing guidance notes to help employers make the right decisions when rolling out precautionary measures.. The Federal Health Data Law, which also prevents the disclosure of health information to third parties absent the individual's prior consent, allows for such disclosure when it is necessary to take a preventive measure or to inspect, control or protect public health.. Although there is no specific data protection legislation in KSA Shari'a principles are relied on to protect an individual's right to privacy and personal data.. Increased cybersecurity threats should prompt organisations to reinforce their information security systems and eventually adopt advanced analytics platforms to proactively identify