Malta
AI and professional secrecy in Malta: the Professional Secrecy Act, the GDPR and client documents
By Hugo Ribeiro · Updated
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Professional secrecy
Malta's Professional Secrecy Act (Chapter 377 of the Laws of Malta) defines professional secrets broadly, including information communicated in writing, documents and electronic data. Article 257 of the Criminal Code punishes the unauthorised disclosure of such secrets. Advocates are expressly covered by the Act, which also lists other regulated professions.
Data protection and AI
The GDPR applies directly, implemented by the Data Protection Act (Cap. 586) and supervised by the Information and Data Protection Commissioner (IDPC). Since Legal Notice 227 of 2025, the IDPC is also designated under the EU AI Act for certain high-risk AI systems (IDPC). Pseudonymised data remains personal data under article 4(5) of the GDPR; pseudonymisation reduces what a third party receives, which is the point when that third party is an AI provider.
A practical routine for Maltese firms
- Treat any AI provider as a third party for professional secrecy purposes.
- Remove identifiers before upload: names, ID card numbers, MT VAT numbers, company registration numbers, addresses ("Triq ..."), IBANs.
- Keep the key on your computer and never paste it into a chat.
- Review the output and restore real names locally.
What Velado detects in Maltese documents
Maltese ID card numbers (with context), MT VAT numbers, company registration numbers, Maltese street addresses ("Triq ir-Repubblika, 12"), IBANs, phone numbers, names after "Client:", "Director:" and similar, plus UK, Irish and Italian identifiers often found in Maltese files.
On your computer
Client: Joseph Camilleri, ID card 123456M, VAT MT12345678, Triq ir-Repubblika, 12
What the AI sees
Client: [PESSOA_1], ID card [DOC_ID_1], VAT [DOC_ID_2], [MORADA_1]
Price in EUR
- Individual, 1 user: €129 per year
- Firm, up to 5 users: €449 per year
- Firm+, up to 15 users: €990 per year
Prices exclude VAT and sales tax. Free public beta until 31 January 2027, then a 14-day free trial. All plans.
This page summarises public guidance for information only. It is not legal advice; check your professional body's current rules.
FAQ
Does Velado work in English and Maltese documents?
The app is in English (and four other languages). It detects Maltese ID card and VAT numbers and Maltese street addresses; names in Maltese are detected after cues such as "Client:" or "Director:", and you can add any it misses on the review screen.
Where are my documents processed?
On your computer. The desktop app has no internet access, and the browser version processes files inside the browser.
What does it cost in Malta?
€129 per year for one user, €449 for a team of up to 5 and €990 for up to 15, excluding VAT. The first 100 customers keep the founder price for life.
Other countries
Velado for US accounting and law firms: use AI without exposing client data
United KingdomAI and client confidentiality in the UK: what ICAEW, the SRA and the ICO expect from accountants and solicitors
CanadaAI and client confidentiality in Canada: PIPEDA, CPA Rule 208 and the law societies
IrelandAI and client confidentiality in Ireland: GDPR, the DPC and professional guidance for solicitors and accountants
Request early access
The first 100 customers lock in the founder price for life. We reply within 1 business day.