Yemen has not joined any agreement with binding commitments to open transfers of data across borders.

Law No. 13 of 2012 regarding the Right of Access to Information establishes a comprehensive framework for data protection in Yemen. It delineates individuals’ rights to access information, the corresponding obligations of organisations to uphold these rights, and the requirement for the appointment of a designated officer within organisations to oversee the collection and use of personal data. In addition, it prescribes security standards for safeguarding information and sets out specific organisational responsibilities regarding the handling of personal information.

The Public Telecommunications Corporation (PTC), which controls the national infrastructure backbone and the fixed-line network, is fully owned by the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MoTIT). Through the PTC, the state holds a 75% share in TeleYemen, which provides international connectivity via submarine and terrestrial cables, as well as satellite links, along with web hosting, data transmission, domain name, and IP address services, and international voice communications. The government, through the PTC, is aòsp the sole owner of YemenNet, which provides fixed broadband, hosting and domain services, and data transmission. Furthermore, Yemen Mobile is majority state-owned (PTC 59%, other public stakeholders 17%, and private shareholders 23%) and offers both fixed and mobile broadband services. Finally, AdenNet, established in 2018, is fully owned by MoTIT–IRG (the part of MoTIT that operates under the Internationally Recognised Government) and provides wireless broadband and international calling services.

Yemen does not mandate functional or accounting separation for operators with significant market power (SMP) in the telecom market.

Yemen does not have a standardised licensing framework for telecommunications services. Law No. 38 of 1991 Pertaining to Wired and Wireless Telecommunications, which is the main law regulating the telecom sector, has reportedly become outdated and inadequate for regulating modern technologies and mobile services. According to Art. 23, no person may establish a wireless transmission station or install or operate any wireless equipment within the territory of Yemen unless duly authorised or licensed under the Law. However, there is no framework available to grant this authorisation. The law also establishes that the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MoTIT) is responsible for ensuring the provision of telecommunications services throughout the Republic of Yemen, and it is empowered to license and authorise any natural or legal person to establish, operate, or use telecommunications networks within Yemen or between Yemen and other countries (Art. 3).
Since 2014, the country has experienced an administrative division of MoTIT, resulting in the coexistence of two separate governing authorities within MoTIT with overlapping mandates, namely the Internationally Recognised Government (IRG) in Aden and the De Facto Authorities (DFA) in Sana’a. Each authority has issued its own resolutions and decisions, such as the DFA’s Cabinet Resolution No. 7 of 2015 on mobile operator licensing and Decision No. 168 of 2016 on telecommunications numbering management, leading to inconsistent and at times conflicting regulatory practices within the country. This resulted in fragmentation and a lack of transparency. It is reported that private operators are regulated through individual, asymmetrical licensing agreements that are often outdated, inconsistently renewed, and issued without clear or transparent procedures, further contributing to regulatory uncertainty.

It is reported that foreign patent applicants are required to file their applications through an attorney or agent registered in Yemen. Moreover, a power of attorney duly legalised by a Yemeni consulate must be submitted either at the time of filing or within two months from the date of filing the patent application in the country.

It is reported that all patent applications must be submitted in Arabic. The filing of patent applications in a foreign language is generally not permitted.

Yemen is not a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Yemen has a copyright regime under Law No. 15 of 2012 on the Protection of Copyright and Related Rights. However, the exceptions do not follow a fair use or fair dealing model, thereby limiting lawful third-party use. Arts. 40–46 list exceptions, including personal use (copying, translation, quotation, or TV viewing); library and educational copying for study, research, preservation, or replacement; and making a backup copy of computer software.

Yemen has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty.

Yemen has not signed the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Performances and Phonograms Treaty.

Yemen lacks a comprehensive legal framework providing effective protection of trade secrets, although limited provisions addressing certain aspects are contained in Arts. 29–32 of Act No. 2 of the Year 2011 Relating to Patents, Utility Models, Integrated Circuit Layouts and Undisclosed Information. The Act defines undisclosed information and establishes protection where the information is secret, derives commercial value from its secrecy, and is subject to reasonable measures to maintain its confidentiality. However, the Act does not establish penalties, remedies, or procedural safeguards for breaches of confidentiality, nor does it provide enforcement mechanisms to ensure effective protection.

Art. 6 of the Regulations Governing Access to and Shared Use of the Infrastructure of Towers and Radio Sites for Public Communications Networks in Yemen mandates infrastructure sharing for licensed operators. All licensed telecom operators are required to prepare a reference offer, provide access services on neutral, transparent and non-discriminatory terms, and, pursuant to Art. 6.8, enter into direct and immediate negotiations with any licensed operator requesting such services.
Art. 3 sets out the objectives of these Regulations, which include reducing network duplication and promoting cooperation among licensed operators by enabling both passive and active infrastructure sharing. Art. 5 further defines the sharing modalities, namely passive sharing (e.g. sites, towers, power, cooling, shelters) and active sharing (e.g. antennas, BTS/eNodeB and other radio network elements), which are subject to conditions approved by the Ministry.

Yemen is not a signatory of the 1996 World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) nor the 2015 expansion (ITA II).

According to Art. 179 of the Executive Regulations of Law No. 23 for the Year 2007 Concerning Tenders, Auctions and Government Storehouses, if the tender documents allow for granting a margin of preference to the products of local industrial projects, the analysis and evaluation committee must take note of this matter in the final stage of evaluation, provided that this preference is granted in accordance with the percentage and conditions specified in the Investment Law upon submission of proof thereof by the Entity for the purpose of evaluation only. However, the latest version of the Investment Law does not set any specific percentage or conditions.