Uzbekistan loosens data-localization rules to attract global tech and payment services
Uzbekistan's parliament approved amendments that let many types of personal data be processed abroad, opening the door for services such as YouTube monetization and international payment apps.
Uzbekistan has moved to relax its strict data-localization regime that previously barred many foreign digital platforms. The amendment, passed by the Legislative Chamber in January 2026 and adopted in March, differentiates between sensitive data—biometric, genetic and telecom information, which must stay in-country—and other personal data that can be transferred abroad provided the destination offers sufficient protection.
The reform follows years of lost revenue, with estimates that the absence of YouTube monetization and services like PayPal cost the economy billions. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the need for a balanced approach, while Saida Mirziyoyeva met Google VP Karan Bhatia in New York to discuss YouTube monetization. The Cabinet of Ministers listed 49 countries, including the United States, Austria and the United Kingdom, where data may be moved without prior approval.
Central Bank officials are now negotiating the launch of Apple Pay and Google Pay, though major international services have yet to enter the market. The changes signal Uzbekistan’s intent to align its regulations with global standards and boost its digital economy.
Why it matters
The reforms could unlock foreign investment and digital services, boosting Uzbekistan’s economy and internet ecosystem.
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