The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has fined Moody’s Investors Service Middle East Limited (MISMEL) USD 585,825 for data confidentiality breaches. The credit rating agency failed to maintain adequate systems and controls to safeguard confidential data and to ensure that its employees did not disclose confidential information. Between December 2023 and May 2026, MISMEL reported seven incidents of inadvertent data disclosure, four of which involved confidential information reaching external recipients. The failures included discontinuing a data security tool without an immediate replacement, inadequate controls to prevent and detect breaches, and ineffective internal disciplinary processes for employees responsible for breaches. MISMEL agreed to settle the matter and received an early settlement discount. Without that discount, the fine would have been USD 836,892.
Dubai Financial Services Authority fines Moody’s Investors Service Middle East Limited USD 585,825 for data confidentiality breaches
The Dubai Financial Services Authority has imposed a USD 585,825 fine on Moody’s Investors Service Middle East Limited for inadequate confidentiality controls and failures to prevent employee disclosures. The agency reported seven inadvertent disclosure incidents between December 2023 and May 2026, including four involving confidential data sent to external recipients. The penalty reflects an early settlement discount from USD 836,892.