South America · Data protection

Uruguay: Law 18.331 on Personal Data Protection and what it requires

Law 18.331 on Personal Data Protection: an established law with an active enforcement record. Overseen by Unidad Reguladora y de Control de Datos Personales (URCDP).

Reference last verified 2026-09.

Key requirements at a glance

Registration with the regulatorRequired
Data protection officerNot required
Breach notificationNo fixed hourly deadline in our reference
Cross-border transfer restrictionsRequired
Data localizationNot required

Penalties and enforcement

Administrative fines under the Law.

What to know in practice

Holds a historical EU adequacy recognition; a mature and clear regime.

How Cevro helps

  • Maps Law 18.331 on Personal Data Protection to the rest of your compliance program, so evidence collected for SOC 2 or ISO 27001 also counts here where it overlaps.
  • Gives every failing control a specific fix and a way to re-check it.

Frequently asked questions

Who regulates data protection in Uruguay?

Unidad Reguladora y de Control de Datos Personales (URCDP) oversees Law 18.331 on Personal Data Protection.

Is breach notification mandatory under Law 18.331 on Personal Data Protection?

Our reference does not record a fixed hourly deadline for Law 18.331 on Personal Data Protection. Check the statute and Unidad Reguladora y de Control de Datos Personales (URCDP) guidance for the notification timing that applies to you.

Does Uruguay restrict cross-border data transfers?

Yes. Moving personal data out of Uruguay is restricted, so confirm a lawful transfer basis before data leaves the jurisdiction.

Do you need a data protection officer under Law 18.331 on Personal Data Protection?

It is not a general requirement in our reference, though naming an accountable person is still good practice.

What are the penalties for non-compliance in Uruguay?

Administrative fines under the Law.

Related jurisdictions: South America

Read: Data protection checklist for new markets

Informational reference only, not legal advice. Compiled from a September 2026 source reviewing primary data-protection statutes; laws change and enforcement practice evolves. Verify current requirements with qualified local counsel before relying on this for an actual compliance decision.