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Data Localization

What is Data Localization?

Legal requirements that mandate personal data of a country's residents to be stored and processed within that country's geographic borders.

Privacy and Data Protection

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as data localization. The number is how many controls name both.

What the standards actually require on data localization

Requirements naming data localization across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

Personal information and important data collected/generated by CII operators in the PRC must be stored within China; cross-border transfer for business necessity requires a security assessment.

CSL-Art37 · CII Data Localization and Cross-Border Assessment - Art. 37

Per Pakistan PDPB 2023 Clauses 13-15: cross-border transfer + localisation. Requirements include (a) restrict cross-border transfer of personal data except where conditions are met including adequacy determination + appropriate safeguards + explicit consent +...

PAKPDPB-6 · Cross-Border Transfer and Data Localization

Per 152-FZ Article 18.5 + Article 12: data localization + cross-border. Requirements include (a) implement Data Localization - personal data of Russian citizens collection + recording + storage + amendment + extraction + use of databases must occur in Russia +...

RUSPD-6 · Cross-Border Transfer and Data Localization (Article 18.5)

Per VN Cyber Law Article 26: Data Localization for foreign providers of cyber services + Representative Office requirement + local data storage.

VIETNAMCYBER-3 · Data Localization and Cross-Border

Per Uzbekistan Law: security + cross-border restrictions + Data Localization requirement for personal data of Uzbek citizens.

UZBEKPDP-3 · Security, Cross-Border, Localization

Questions people ask about data localization

What is Data Localization?
Legal requirements that mandate personal data of a country's residents to be stored and processed within that country's geographic borders.
Why is Data Localization important for compliance?
Data Localization is a key concept in Privacy and Data Protection. Understanding data localization helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Data Localization?
Data Localization appears in the requirement text of Kazakhstan Law on Personal Data and Their Protection (No. 94-V), China Cybersecurity Law (CSL), Pakistan Personal Data Protection Bill 2023, Russia Federal Law on Personal Data (152-FZ), Vietnam Law on Cybersecurity (No. 24/2018/QH14). Across these standards we have identified 11 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Data Localization?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how data localization applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Data Localization applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.