Uzbekistan’s parliament has approved, at first reading, amendments to the Law on Personal Data aimed at establishing a clear legal framework for the launch of international digital payment services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay in the country.
The draft law was reviewed during a parliamentary session held on January 20. It proposes clearly defining the categories of personal data that must be stored within Uzbekistan, while also outlining the conditions under which certain types of data may be processed and stored outside the country.
Lawmakers emphasized that Uzbekistan is consistently implementing reforms focused on developing the financial technology sector, increasing the share of cashless payments, and supporting tourism by expanding access to modern digital services for both residents and visitors.
According to deputies, achieving these objectives requires the adoption of advanced digital payment solutions and closer cooperation with international online payment service providers.
Under the proposed amendments, specific categories of personal data will be subject to mandatory local storage. At the same time, the draft introduces requirements for overseas data processing and storage, including compliance with information security standards, alignment with international norms, and fulfillment of conditions set by authorized state bodies.
Officials noted that the changes are expected to simplify the entry of global payment systems into the Uzbek market, enhance the investment climate, expand the digital services ecosystem, and provide more convenient payment options for citizens and tourists.
Following approval by the deputies, the draft law has been submitted to the Senate for further consideration.
The initiative follows discussions held in November 2025, when President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with representatives of leading U.S. companies, investment funds, and financial institutions during his official visit to the United States.
Those talks included plans to expand digital cooperation with companies such as Google, Meta, and NVIDIA, as well as exploring the introduction of Apple Pay and Google Pay services in Uzbekistan.