Technical

data message

Electronic communications as defined by ECTA.

How the laws define this

All three instruments establish that a data message encompasses information or a communication generated, sent, received, or stored through electronic, optical, or related technological means. However, they diverge in how they frame its legal function and scope. Under قانون تجارت الکترونیکی, a data message serves specifically as the digital equivalent of a document. By contrast, the Regulations relating to the Protection of Personal Information, 2018 treat it as a communication used to permit submissions and notices by electronic channels, aligning with the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act for legal effect. Meanwhile, އިލެކްޓްރޯނިކް މުޢާމަލާތްތަކާބެހޭ ޤާނޫނު (Law No. 2/2022) defines it as information generated or stored via electronic, magnetic, optical, or similar means while explicitly listing EDI and email. Thus, regulatory application depends on whether the text targets formal document substitution, official notice delivery, or broad digital communication formats.

Synthesised from the 3 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.

Jurisdiction	Instrument	Status	What is distinctive
South Africa	Regulations relating to the Protection of Personal Information, 2018 (Government Notice R1383 of 2018)	In Force (Amended)	Explicitly defined by reference to ECTA and specifies use for permitting submissions and notices by electronic channels to ensure legal effect.
Maldives	Electronic Transactions Act (Law No. 2/2022)	In Force	Expands means to include magnetic and similar technologies while explicitly listing EDI and email as examples.
Iran	Electronic Commerce Law	In Force	Limits to information serving as the digital equivalent of a document and specifies electronic, optical, or other information technology means.

What it triggers

In South Africa under Regulations relating to the Protection of Personal Information, 2018, data messages permit submissions and notices by electronic channels.source
Under Maldives Electronic Transactions Act, data messages establish the legal validity of electronic records, signatures, and trust services.source
Under Iran Electronic Commerce Law, data messages support digital transactions, electronic signatures, and consumer protection in e-commerce.source

Definitions (3)

A communication generated, sent, received or stored by electronic, digital or other technological means, as defined in the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act; used in these Regulations to permit submissions and notices by electronic channels. The term frames acceptable electronic submission methods and ensures alignment with ECTA definitions for legal effect.

Regulations relating to the Protection of Personal Information, 2018 (Government Notice R1383 of 2018)Definition 1 of 3

Information generated, sent, received, or stored by electronic, magnetic, optical, or similar means, including EDI and email.

އިލެކްޓްރޯނިކް މުޢާމަލާތްތަކާބެހޭ ޤާނޫނު (Law No. 2/2022)Definition 2 of 3

Any information generated, sent, received, or stored by electronic, optical, or other information technology means, serving as the digital equivalent of a document.

قانون تجارت الکترونیکیDefinition 3 of 3

Not to be confused with

Electronic Record

Electronic record refers to a digitally existing or generated record requested from a public body, while data message focuses on generated, sent, received, or stored communications.

writing

Writing includes electronic documents and data messages, whereas data message specifically denotes communications generated, sent, received, or stored electronically.

Questions and answers

What counts as a data message under South African POPIA Regulations?

A data message is a communication generated, sent, received or stored by electronic, digital or other technological means, as defined in ECTA. It permits submissions and notices by electronic channels with legal effect.

How does the Maldives define data message for electronic transactions?

It covers information generated, sent, received, or stored by electronic, magnetic, optical, or similar means, including EDI and email. This establishes legal validity for electronic records and signatures.

What is a data message in Iran's Electronic Commerce Law?

Any information generated, sent, received, or stored by electronic, optical, or other information technology means that serves as the digital equivalent of a document. It underpins e-commerce transactions and protections.