The Adequacy of the Jordanian Cybercrime Law No. (17) of 2023 in protecting personal data

Authors

  • Ashraf Fatehi Al-Rai Public Law Department, College of Law, Abu Dhabi University, United Arab Emirates. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8480-9686 (unauthenticated)
  • Amal Yousef Alrfoua Public Law Department, Faculty of Law, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan.
  • Sabah Mousa Almomani Faculty of Law, Al-balqaa Applied University, Jordan.
  • Wasfi Mahmoud Masoud Al-Khraisat Public Law Department, Faculty of Law, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan.
  • Dina Imad Public Law Department, College of Law, Abu Dhabi University, United Arab Emirates.
  • Duha Sulaiman Nazzal Public Law Department, Faculty of Law, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan.
  • Dujanna Abdel kafi Mohd Naji Helali Independent researcher
  • Ghenaa Musaed Mohammed Almatri Independent researcher

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2026.11875

Keywords:

Constitutional protection, criminal protection, personal data, digital platforms, media, Jordanian legislation.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to assess the adequacy of Jordanian Cybercrime Law No. (17) of 2023 in protecting personal data. It examines the relevant legal provisions, evaluates their effectiveness, identifies legislative gaps, and proposes amendments to enhance legal protection of digital privacy amid rapid technological advancements.

Methodology: The study adopts a descriptive approach to analyze legal texts related to the Jordanian Cybercrime Law, with particular attention to the protection of data and privacy on digital platforms, social media, and modern communication tools. Additionally, a qualitative analytical approach is employed to examine constitutional provisions and the Cybercrime Law in order to identify legal strengths and weaknesses. The study also proposes legislative amendments that would improve criminal protection for digital privacy.

Findings: The study reveals that the Jordanian Cybercrime Law does not sufficiently keep pace with evolving digital realities, particularly concerning personal data protection. It lacks clear definitions of key concepts such as data breaches and privacy violations, and fails to explicitly criminalize the breach of private life via technological means. Furthermore, Article 9 of the law contains legal ambiguities that could hinder enforcement and judicial interpretation.

Conclusion: The study recommends amending several legal provisions, especially Article 9, to address its legislative deficiencies. It also calls for the inclusion of a clear legal definition of data breach crimes and a specific provision safeguarding   the sanctity of private life, in accordance with the Jordanian Constitution and international legal standards.

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Published

2026-09-01

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 12 (2026)

Section

Mass Communication

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Dirasat: Human and Social Sciences

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Al-Rai, A. F., Alrfoua, A. Y., Almomani, S. M., Al-Khraisat, W. M. M., Imad, D., Nazzal, D. S., Helali, D. A. kafi M. N., & Almatri, G. M. M. (2026). The Adequacy of the Jordanian Cybercrime Law No. (17) of 2023 in protecting personal data. Dirasat: Human and Social Sciences, 53(12), 11875. https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2026.11875

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