Data, Data, Everywhere—But Who Will Set the Rules?
As traditional global trade in goods and services has leveled off, cross-border data flows continue to expand rapidly and the challenges of developing policies that protect privacy, security, and innovation are growing more complex by the day. Cheap storage, mobile ...
As traditional global trade in goods and services has leveled off, cross-border data flows continue to expand rapidly and the challenges of developing policies that protect privacy, security, and innovation are growing more complex by the day. Cheap storage, mobile connectivity, and sophisticated analytics mean airlines can predict engine trouble, factories can slash operating costs, and drivers who allow their cars to be monitored can buy cheaper insurance. But all this requires data that moves easily and seamlessly across borders and so far the United States and Europe have only managed a fragile regime to protect transatlantic data flows for a narrow range of commercial purposes.
How will they regulate the proliferation of data in finance, health care, and industrial operations? How will they support innovation while protecting privacy and national security? How will voters or companies become involved in shaping these new rules? If Washington and Brussels can’t agree, there’s little hope the rest of the world will either.