Why Data Privacy Compliance Matters in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s data protection law is overseen by the Agencia de Protección de Datos de los Habitantes (PRODHAB). While enforcement has been somewhat limited, public awareness of privacy rights is growing, and an updated version of the regulation is already being drafted. This means companies operating in Costa Rica can expect stronger oversight in the years ahead.
Non-compliance can lead to fines ranging from 5 to 30 minimum salaries, depending on the severity of the violation. These penalties apply to both public and private entities handling personal data of Costa Rican residents. Beyond fines, organizations also risk losing credibility and consumer trust in a market where individuals are paying closer attention to how their data is managed.
About Costa Rica Data Privacy Law
The law grants individuals a set of clear privacy rights:
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Right to Access – See what information is being collected.
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Right to Rectify – Correct inaccurate data.
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Right to Erase – Request deletion of personal data.
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Right to Data Portability – Obtain their data in a portable format.
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Right to Oppose Processing – Stop the use of their data for certain purposes.
To comply, companies must:
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Obtain informed consent before processing personal data.
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Notify PRODHAB and affected individuals within 5 days if a data breach occurs.
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Respect key principles such as purpose limitation, confidentiality, and data accuracy.
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Adopt technical and organizational security measures to protect personal data from unauthorized use or loss.
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Register databases with PRODHAB if personal data is collected for disclosure, distribution, or commercialization.
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Maintain a privacy program and ensure it is registered with PRODHAB.
The law applies broadly to both public and private entities, including foreign organizations processing the data of Costa Rican residents. For international businesses, this means compliance is required even without a physical presence in Costa Rica.
How Our Data Privacy Consulting Services Help You Comply in Costa Rica
At Oso, we help organizations align their data handling practices with the principles and obligations of Costa Rica’s data protection law. Our services are practical, tailored, and designed to fit the structure of your company while meeting legal requirements.
Designing and implementing privacy programs that meet Costa Rican legal standards.
Creating consent strategies that ensure informed and valid consent is obtained and managed correctly.
Setting up processes to respond to data subject rights requests in a way that is compliant and efficient.
Guiding your business in creating and maintaining a register of processing activities.
Drafting contracts and clauses to ensure your third-party providers handle data responsibly.
Delivering employee training programs tailored to different roles within your organization, so staff understand their responsibilities.
Our Approach to Data Privacy Services in Costa Rica
Our process is flexible and built around where you are today. We don’t believe in generic solutions—we start with understanding your current practices and build from there.
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If you already have a privacy program: We review your framework, identify gaps, and create a plan to strengthen it. We’ll provide a clear roadmap for short-, medium-, and long-term priorities, then help implement the improvements.
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If you don’t yet have a program: We perform a gap analysis to identify legal requirements and risks, then design a tailored program to bring your business into compliance. This includes strategy, documentation, and process design.
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If you need a single document: Even for something simple, like a website privacy policy, we take time to understand your operations first. This ensures that the final deliverable reflects your actual practices instead of generic boilerplate text.
By following this approach, we make sure compliance is both realistic and sustainable—something that fits your company’s resources while satisfying Costa Rica’s legal requirements.
Why Choose Oso for Data Privacy Consulting in Costa Rica
At Oso, we know that compliance isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about building trust with your customers while meeting regulatory obligations. Our work is always tailored to your business, not copied from generic templates. We take time to understand your operations and design policies and processes that make sense for your team.
We’re also fully bilingual, allowing us to support both Spanish- and English-speaking teams with equal fluency. Our consultants have experience guiding organizations in Costa Rica through their privacy obligations, and we understand the nuances of working with PRODHAB.
With Oso, you get a practical partner who can prepare your business for compliance today and help you adapt to future updates in the law.
Common Questions (FAQ)
Is a privacy policy required on my website?
Yes. A privacy policy is one of the main ways to comply with transparency obligations. It’s also where customers expect to find information about how their data is collected, used, and protected.
What rights must I provide to consumers?
Consumers have the right to access, rectify, delete, port, and oppose the processing of their personal data. Your business must have processes in place to handle these requests.
Do I need to notify authorities about data breaches?
Yes. You must notify PRODHAB and the affected individuals within 5 days of a breach. This applies to both public and private entities.
Does the law apply to foreign companies?
Yes. Any company—local or foreign—that processes the personal data of Costa Rican residents must comply with the law.
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