WASHINGTON – January 31, 2022 – In today’s annual Special 301 filing, BSA | The Software Alliance urged the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to bring greater attention to data-related innovation barriers such as data localization mandates and unnecessary data transfer restrictions.

“BSA’s members depend on cross-border data transfers to invest in research and development and acquire and enforce IP rights. Discriminatory or unnecessary data localization policies impede innovation and pose a critical threat to US technology leadership,” said Joseph Whitlock, Director, Policy at BSA | The Software Alliance and Executive Director of the Global Data Alliance. “BSA urges USTR to use the 2022 Special 301 review cycle to address the growing global challenge of data-related market access barriers and inadequate IP protection and enforcement abroad.”

BSA’s 2022 Special 301 Submission notes policies of concern in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and the European Union. Read the filing here.