Uzbekistan removed a major payment barrier

Uzbekistan has removed a major legal obstacle that had long complicated the entry of global payment services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal. Under a new presidential decree, amendments to the law on personal data now allow most personal information to be stored on foreign servers, provided international standards are followed.

Previously, companies were required to keep all user data only within Uzbekistan. That rule had been one of the main barriers for large technology firms, whose platforms usually rely on global cloud infrastructure. Under the updated rules, only biometric and genetic data remain subject to stricter storage limitations.

The change brings national legislation closer to international practices and could make it easier for foreign companies to launch their services in the Uzbek market without rebuilding their systems around local data centers. Banks and fintech firms are also expected to benefit, as they will be able to use global cloud technologies more freely.

Officials and market participants expect the liberalization to support faster growth in contactless payments, digital finance and e-commerce across the country. The move is also seen as part of a broader effort to fulfill earlier commitments to align Uzbekistan’s business environment with global standards.