Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) are a suite of technologies that enable data to be processed and shared while protecting sensitive information relating to individuals and organisations. These technologies are becoming increasingly mature and are ready for real-world deployment. However, as of 2026, their adoption remains limited, largely due to informational, legal and economic barriers rather than technical constraints. Organisations often lack clear information on deployment models, applicable legal frameworks and regulatory guidance, while policymakers face a limited evidence base and fragmented approaches across jurisdictions.
The OECD Global Repository for Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) has been established to help address these challenges. The Repository, launched on 19 October 2026, aims to:
- Increase understanding of the technical and legal dimensions of PETs among policymakers, regulators, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
- Support greater legal certainty regarding the role and value of PETs in meeting requirements under data protection and sector-specific legislation by showcasing practical use cases and implementation experiences from different jurisdictions; and
- Promote the adoption of PETs that deliver benefits for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole.
The launch of this Repository is a culmination of years of international, multi-stakeholder effort and follows from the 2023 OECD policy paper on the regulatory and policy approaches to PETs, and the 2025 OECD policy paper on PETs and artificial intelligence. Expert workshops in 2024-25 in London, Singapore, Ottawa contributed to the initial idea for the Repository, which has been supported by many countries and recognised in the G7 2025 Industry, Technology and Digital Ministerial Declaration.
This Repository will be developed and enhanced over time, with use cases and documents added periodically. A PETs Policy Advisory Board has been established to support the continuous development of the Repository and to guide the strategic direction of the OECD’s work on PETs. This Advisory Board complements the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) multistakeholder expert community.