Localisation Helps Govts Retain Ownership Of Data

UNCTAD report says govts can restrict data flow for security, economic reasons.

India’s push for mandatory data localisation contested by developed countries has found some support from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

In its Digital Economy Report 2019, which was released globally on Wednesday, it observes that governments may decide to restrict data flow for reasons such as privacy of data and protection of their citizens, security and economic development.

“The only way for developing countries to exercise effective economic ‘ownership’ of and control over the data generated in their territories may be to restrict cross-border flows of important personal and community data,” the report said. It argued that this was necessary as due to a lack of any global agreement for recognising ownership of community data, once the data leave the home jurisdiction, the notion of ownership becomes largely meaningless.