It is reported that online platforms in Kuwait are required to comply with advertising regulations administered by authorities such as the Kuwait Municipality, the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Information. These regulations are designed to ensure that advertising practices uphold ethical standards and conform to cultural norms. In addition, all advertisements must be in Arabic and must not contain any material considered offensive.

Law No. 8 of 2016 regulates all web-based publications, including electronic news services, bulletins, newspapers and television websites, and the like, as well as social media. Under the legislation, all these services must obtain a license from the government before they can operate. Those in existence had one year to comply with the law. According to Art. 1 of the law, electronic media is defined as any activity which includes the publication or transmission of materials, activities or media services of electronic content that are produced, developed, updated, circulated, transmitted, published or penetrating through the international information net (the internet) or any other communications net.

Chapter 2 of the Cloud Computing Regulatory Framework delineates the licensing regime applicable to providers of cloud computing services.

Art. 1 of Law No. 43, which requires a licence for the importation of all goods, states that the right to import goods, materials and equipment is limited to Kuwaiti citizens; Kuwaiti partnerships if all partners are Kuwaiti citizens; joint stock and limited liability companies if Kuwaitis hold 51% or more of the total capital.

It is reported that the conditions for obtaining an import–export licence in Kuwait are as follows: the applicant must be a Kuwaiti national; where non-Kuwaiti partners are involved, Kuwaiti ownership must constitute at least 51%; the company must hold a valid commercial licence authorising import–export activities; and it must be registered with the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry to enable the clearance of goods through Kuwaiti ports.

Kuwait does not have a comprehensive legal framework governing all personal data; instead, it relies on sectoral regulation. Law No. 20 of 2014 on Electronic Transactions contains provisions related to data privacy and the protection of electronic records, documents, and information associated with civil, commercial, or administrative transactions conducted wholly or partially through electronic means, and applies to private companies, government authorities, public institutions, non-governmental organisations, and their employees. Additionally, Law No. 63 of 2015 on Combating Cyber Crimes imposes severe penalties for the unlawful tampering with or acquisition of personal or governmental data. In addition, Administrative Decision No. 26 of 2024, issued by the Communications and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (CITRA), establishes obligations concerning data protection for telecommunications service providers and related industry sectors that collect, process, or store personal data, in whole or in part.

Banks and other financial institutions are required by the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism Law 106 of 2013 to retain a copy of transaction data for five years.

Pursuant to Art. 6 of the Data Privacy Protection Regulation, telecommunications service providers are required to furnish the Communications and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (CITRA) with the contact details of their designated data protection officer when notifying data breaches. Nevertheless, the Regulation does not expressly stipulate the procedures or obligations pertaining to the appointment of data protection officers as such.

A basic legal framework on intermediary liability for copyright infringement is absent in Kuwait's law and jurisprudence.

Kuwait lacks a comprehensive regime for the protection of trade secrets.

It is reported that there is a regulatory obligation in Kuwait for the sharing of passive infrastructure to enable the provision of telecommunications services to end-users, and that this is not only mandated but also actively practised in both the mobile and fixed sectors.

Arts. 23 and 24 of Law No. 68 require foreign entities conducting business in Kuwait to do so either through a local agent or a Kuwaiti partner, which is typically facilitated through the establishment of a Kuwaiti company with Kuwaiti participants owning at least 51% of the share capital. An exception to these restrictions on foreign ownership is when the relevant Kuwaiti company is established and licensed under Law No. 116 (Art. 12), which allows for increased levels of foreign ownership up to 100%. Law No. 116 permits the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) to authorise, on a case-by-case basis, up to 100% foreign ownership in the following industries: communications infrastructure; information technology and software development; entertainment, investment management, among others. Although a Kuwaiti or Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) national must own at least 51% of any local company, this requirement may be waived if non-GCC investors qualify to invest through KDIPA. A 2017 amendment to the 2016 Companies Law eliminated prohibitive requirements on limited liability companies.

The government holds a 21.4% equity stake in the telecommunications company Zain, through the Kuwait Investment Authority and the Public Institution for Social Security.

It is reported that Kuwait does not compel operators with significant market power (SMP) to adopt functional separation; however, compliance with accounting separation is mandatory.

Under Law No. 37 of 2014 on the Telecommunications and Information Technology Regulatory Commission, the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) issues licenses to telecom service providers. Under Art. 59, the CITRA employees have the power to request and examine licenses, books, registers, documents, and all papers related to the telecommunication activity; Examine and inspect any telecommunication devices, telecommunication installations, or any other facilities associated with providing telecommunication service or establishing, operating or owning telecommunication network; Review any additional information or documents in any form they might be related to the provision of telecommunication services. It is reported that "although Kuwait’s telecommunications industry is technically open to private investment, in practice, the government maintains extensive ownership in the sector and controls licensing and infrastructure development. It is reported that Kuwait’s telecommunications law gives authorities sweeping power to revoke licenses and block content, with little judicial oversight."