Paper short abstract:

The rules governing data flows across borders are a key factor in influencing where value is captured in a datafied economy. In this paper, we explore the governance of cross-border data flows with a focus on developing and emerging economies.

Paper long abstract:

Value in the economy is increasingly tied to data. The datafication of physical goods such as cars, household products and electronic devices means that firms often capture value through data or data-based services even when they provide a product. Global production processes are also becoming more datafied, where digitally-integrated machines and sensors provide ever more data to aid optimisation of production.

Reflecting the rapid digitization of the global economy, debates around the rules that govern data collection, retention and flows are expanding. Such rules will have important implications for economic and technological power. More broadly, the global governance emerging around data flows is liable to shape the trajectories of national development of both developed and developing countries in the future.

In this paper, we explore the governance of cross-border data flows with a focus on developing and emerging economies. We highlight three contested modes of governance emerging. From a more interventionist perspective, larger emerging economies have sought to shape data flows within their borders as a way to benefit their economies. On the other hand, weaker developing nations are being pushed to commit to liberalise their data flows, particularly through the ways that data flows are being associated with free trade agreements. Finally, some nations have also looked to leverage data protection rules as a way of shape data flows, both inside and outside their own borders.

Such work is vital in that it explores macro-level drivers which shape the broader structures of data use, rights and wider economic development.