The Data Law Companion is an AI-powered web tool developed by JHUB Africa (led by Dr. Lawrence Nderu and colleagues) to help simplify and operationalize data protection laws—particularly those in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda—for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It harnesses advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT‑4 for interactive guidance, legal Q&A, and document summarization. Through chatbot modules and summarized explanations, it supports SMEs navigating complex legal frameworks, helping them understand rights, obligations, penalties, and compliance steps in an accessible, user-friendly format

This initiative was academically vetted and documented in a research paper published in the Data Science Journal in June 2024. The study used mixed-method research—analyzing the East African Data Protection Acts and conducting surveys—to assess the tool’s effectiveness. Findings reveal that the platform improves legal understanding and encourages ethical data-handling practices. Its development also incorporated responsible AI considerations, such as bias mitigation, data governance, and embedding legal expertise in model responses. Ambitious plans are underway for enhancements like real-time compliance monitoring and broader regional scalability