Draft Data Value Realization Policy

1. Data: A collection of facts in their raw or unstructured form, such as numbers, letters, static images, video, audio recordings, or emojis.

2. Unprocessed Data: Data exchanged in its raw form.

3. Data Products: Services primarily based on processed data, aimed at generating added value through combining with other data, enrichment, preparation, analysis, or visualization, including but not limited to insights, predictive or descriptive analytics, interactive dashboards (platforms), and others.

4. Data Value Realization: The transformation of the intangible value of data into tangible or material value, either directly, through the provision of Unprocessed Data, or indirectly, through the provision of Data Products.

5. Value Realization Model: A strategy adopted by the entity to realize value from data.

6. Pricing Model: The mechanism used to determine the monetary value of Data and Data Products.

7. Classified Data: Data classified at one of the following levels (Top Secret, Secret, Restricted, or Public) pursuant to the Data Classification Policy.

8. Open Data: A specific set of Data classified at the “Public" level, provided in a machine-readable format, and made available to the public free of charge and without restrictions, which may be used or shared by any individual, public entity, or private entity, pursuant to the Open Data Policy.

9. Government Services: Services provided by government entities in the course of exercising their competencies and powers or in the performance of their assigned tasks, which may be delivered through a third party on behalf of the government entity.

10. Private Entity: Any private legal person licensed to operate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that collects and processes data and provides services or products based on such data.

11. Data Provider: Any individual, government entity, or private entity that supplies Data or provides Data Products for a fee, whether directly or indirectly.

12. Data Beneficiary: Any individual, government entity, or private entity that requests Data or benefits from Data Products for a fee.

13. Data Processing: Any operation performed on data by any means, whether manual or automated.

14. Office: National Data Management Office.​

1. This Policy shall apply to the Unprocessed Data of government entities or to products derived from such Data that have been partially or fully processed. This includes Data obtained by private entities in the course of performing tasks on behalf of government entities, or where the Data has been initially obtained from the government entity by any means.
2. Data  classified by government entities at the “Secret" level or higher shall be excluded from the scope of this Policy ​.

First Principle: Data as National Assets

Data generated by government entities shall be deemed national assets that such entities must manage in a manner that serves the public interest and ensures their preservation as national assets. Government entities shall retain the intellectual property rights associated with the Data, and such Data may not be used by any other party except pursuant to a Data-Sharing Agreement if the other party is a non-government entity, or in accordance with the Data Sharing Controls if the other party is a government entity, as provided under the Data Sharing Policy. With respect to Data Products, any government entity shall be entitled to develop a product based on the Data and to retain the developed intellectual property rights, pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations.

Second Principle: Revenue Development

Data shall be regarded as valuable assets that may be leveraged to enhance spending efficiency and to increase government revenues derived from Data, thereby ensuring the sustainability of government services.

Third Principle: Privacy by Design

Privacy shall be adopted as a guiding principle when handling Personal Data, including adherence to the provisions and procedures set forth in the Personal Data Protection Law, its Implementing Regulations, and the instruments issued pursuant thereto.

Fourth Principle: Promoting the Publication of Open Data

Activities related to Data Value Realization must not conflict with the Open Data Policy or with the efforts undertaken by government entities to enhance their contribution toward achieving national objectives.

Fifth Principle: Promoting a Data-Sharing Culture

Activities related to Data Value Realization must not conflict with the Data Sharing Policy or with the efforts undertaken to achieve integration between government entities and maximize data utilization.

Sixth Principle: Preventing Monopolistic Practices

The role of government entities is pivotal in fostering the Data economy and in driving development and innovation. It is therefore imperative to prevent any unfair advantage arising from the value realization of government entity data, including practices of a monopolistic nature. This Policy affirms equitable access to Data, enabling the private sector to develop Data Products, while ensuring full compliance with the applicable laws and regulations governing fair competition.

Seventh Principle: Transparency

Documenting and making information related to Data Value Realization available to competent authorities upon request contributes to promoting transparency. Such information includes, but is not limited to, the Value Realization Model, the Data used, Pricing Models for Unprocessed Data or Data Products, and revenue collection mechanisms for Data, in accordance with the directives issued by the competent authorities.​

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1. The government entity shall:
​a. Not  impose any fee on open datasets published by the government entity, pursuant to the Open Data Policy.

b. Ensure  that Data Value Realization does not affect the availability and publication of the maximum possible amount of Open Data, pursuant to the Open Data Policy.

c. Ensure  that Data Value Realization does not affect the processing of requests submitted by individuals or private entities to obtain public information, pursuant to the provisions governing freedom of information.

d. Share  Unprocessed Data with government entities free of charge, pursuant to the Data Sharing Policy.

e. Comply  with the provisions of the Personal Data Protection Law and its Implementing Regulations, and the Data Sharing Policy, when developing Data Products, including undertaking preprocessing of Personal Data before sharing it in accordance with anonymization methods.

f. Provide  private entities access to Unprocessed Data or Data Products used for Data Value Realization, in a manner that promotes fair competition and prevents monopolistic practices.

2. The government entity may: 
a. Realize  value from Unprocessed Data, other than Open Data, provided that the beneficiary is not a government entity.

b. Realize  value from Data Products, in accordance with this Policy, and without prejudice to any applicable legal requirement.
3. A private entity may realize value from Data Products developed using Open Data without prejudice to the provisions of this Policy.

4. A private entity that has been granted a license to use Data by a government entity shall be bound to use such Data solely for the purposes specified in the Data-Sharing Agreements, and shall not share such Data with other parties, whether for a fee or free of charge.

5. A government entity that has obtained Data from another government entity shall be bound to use such Data in accordance with the Data Sharing Policy and the relevant Data-Sharing Agreements, and shall not share such Data with other parties except pursuant to an agreement with the Data Source Entity, whether for a fee or free of charge.

6. The ​ provisions of Paragraph (4) of this Article shall apply to all contracts and agreements concluded between private entities and government entities.

​１. In the context of providing any services that involve Data Value Realization and relate to Unprocessed Data or Data Products, the government entity shall coordinate with the Ministry of Finance and the Non-Oil Revenues Development Center, pursuant to the relevant legal provisions and in cases where such coordination is required.

２. The government entity shall align its practices related to Data Value Realization with the provisions of this Policy.

３. The Office shall establish the National Register for Value Realization of Government Entity Data.

４. The government entity shall register any products or services falling within the scope of this Policy through the National Register referred to in Paragraph (3) of this Article, in accordance with a mechanism developed by the Office.

５. The government entity may request a legal opinion from the Office concerning disputes related to the provision of services or products governed by this Policy. The Office may undertake the necessary legal procedures to address these disputes, particularly where they are connected to requests for Data Sharing between government entities.