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).
Key requirements at a glance
| Registration with the regulator | Required |
|---|---|
| Data protection officer | Not required |
| Breach notification | No fixed hourly deadline in our reference |
| Cross-border transfer restrictions | Required |
| Data localization | Not 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.