[Chapter-delegates] UNCTAD calls on countries to make digital data flow for the benefit of all, because nequalities threaten wider divide as digital economy data flows surge

[Richard Hill]

Here are summaries of a major new UNCTAD report on the digital economy:

 
https://unctad.org/news/unctad-calls-countries-make-digital-data-flow-benefi
t-all    

 
https://unctad.org/news/inequalities-threaten-wider-divide-digital-economy-d
ata-flows-surge    

In a nutshell, UNCTAD argues that a new approach is needed for countries to
better harness data as a global public good, because large power imbalances
stalk the growing digital economy as major platforms reinforce their
positions in the global data value chain.

While not mentioned in the two summaries cited above, the UNCTAD report
explains that "given the different characteristics of data in comparison to
goods and services, cross-border data flows are to be considered a new kind
of international flow; data flows remain distinct from trade, and treating
them as trade can be problematic, for various reasons. ... there are
questions on how suitable the trade regime is as an arena of governing such
flows ..." (see page 144 of the report).

That is, provisions regarding data flows should not be negotiated in trade
negotiation forums such as WTO.

The full report is at:

  https://unctad.org/webflyer/digital-economy-report-2021    

Best,
Richard