SINGAPORE – August 6, 2020 – BSA | The Software Alliance welcomes today’s signature of the Singapore-Australia Digital Economy Agreement (SADEA). The Agreement allows for the free flow of data across borders and prohibits data localization mandates. It also contains provisions intended to ensure that government data is open and machine readable, to foster the creation of ethical AI governance frameworks, and to support interoperable data transfer mechanisms for personal information. In these and other respects, the Agreement reflects core aspects of the BSA Digital Trade Agenda.

“Australia and Singapore are playing a leading role in advancing digital trade norms around the world, and today’s signing of the Singapore-Australia Digital Economy Agreement is an important step in building a global consensus on data,” said Joseph Whitlock, Director, Policy at BSA | The Software Alliance. “It’s particularly significant that the Agreement facilitates the cross-border movement of financial services data. We likewise applaud both governments for prioritizing open government data, source code protections, and interoperable approaches to personal data protection.”

Leveraging digital connectivity for economic growth and job creation is of critical importance in today’s uncertain global economic environment. BSA looks forward to continued collaboration with both governments and their regional partners across the Asia-Pacific as they work to advance international norms on digital trade.