Cross-Border Data / Data Localization

The rapid and seamless movement of data across borders is essential to the 21st century global economy. Cross-border data transfers allow software companies to provide new and innovative services to every sector of the economy – driving growth, enabling the technologies of the future, improving health and safety, and promoting social good. BSA supports international data transfer agreements such as the EU US Privacy Shield, data transfer frameworks such as the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules, and data transfer provisions in trade agreements.

Data Localization

Some countries are considering, or have implemented, measures that mandate data localization. Laws that require data to be stored locally, or that restrict the movement of data across borders, not only impede innovation in the development of cutting-edge technology, but also put every local business at a competitive disadvantage by limiting the services available to them. BSA advocates the adoption of trade norms to prevent data localization requirements and opposes new localization proposals and requirements in markets around the world.

Download: BSA Cross Border Data Flows

Global Data Alliance: BSA's Cross-Industry Coalition

The free movement of data across borders drives economic growth, development, and opportunity for all. Learn more by visiting www.globaldataalliance.org.

FEATURED POLICY RESEARCH / POSITION PAPERS

Victoria Espinel's Privacy Shield Testimony Cover Page

US: Testimony of Victoria A. Espinel Before the Senate Commerce Committee on “The Invalidation of the EU-US Privacy Shield and the Future of Transatlantic Data Flows”

DEC 09, 2020 | US

Cross-Border Data

Principles: Additional Safeguards for SCC Transfers

OCT 22, 2020 | GLOBAL

BSA | The Software Alliance has identified seven principles to guide companies adopting additional safeguards for EU data transfers.

Privacy Cross-Border Data

The Future of Transatlantic Data Flows

SEP 23, 2020 | US

Companies of all sizes and in all industries need to move data across the Atlantic to reach customers, manage supply chains, collaborate on research, and improve the services they provide to businesses and individuals. And customers—on both sides of the Atlantic—deserve to know that their personal data will be maintained private and secure when their data is transferred. Transatlantic data flows are among the most important for both Europe and the US, accounting for over one-half of Europe’s data transfers and about half of US data transfers. A disruption of transatlantic data flows could have significant adverse effects on consumers, businesses, and economic vitality.

Trade Cross-Border Data

Cross-Border Transfer: Myths vs. Facts

JUN 11, 2019 | US

The rapid and seamless movement of data across borders is essential to the 21st century global economy — driving growth and innovation across all sectors. Some countries, however, are considering — or have implemented — measures that mandate data localization and restrict cross-border data flows.

Cross-Border Data

Cross-Border Data Flows

NOV 12, 2017 | GLOBAL

Data moving across borders is critical for the services that sustain global commerce, improve health and safety, promote social good, and enable the technologies of the future.

THE LATEST POLICY NEWS

Groups Press Tai to Pursue Pac-Rim Digital Trade Act

SEP 13, 2021 | GLOBAL

POLITICO Morning Trade, September 13, 2021. Joe Whitlock, policy director at the Software Alliance, told Morning Trade he believed a digital trade agreement could be negotiated in a way that supports the Biden administration’s “worker-focused” agenda depending on how it crafts provisions in areas like consumer protection, privacy and cybersecurity supply-chain security. Read more

Trade Cross-Border Data

Global Data Alliance Calls for Enhanced Privacy Shield Agreement

AUG 24, 2021 | US | EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

Data transfers between the European Union and the United States are critical to job and economic growth, and to providing vital services, on both sides of the Atlantic. Data transfers enable the success of each industry represented by the Global Data Alliance, as well as government entities and companies in other sectors. Read more

Cross-Border Data

Surveillance in Spotlight Amid Ongoing EU-US Data Privacy Rift

JUL 16, 2021 | US | EUROPEAN UNION

Bloomberg Law, July 16, 2021. Companies have been “beefing up” privacy commitments in their data transfer contracts, according to Aaron Cooper, vice president of global policy for the software industry association BSA|The Software Alliance. Read more

Privacy Cross-Border Data

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