BRUSSELS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Tuesday proposed a framework that abolishes data localisation requirements while ensuring access rights to competent authorities for regulatory control.
According to a statement of the Commission, the new measures create a common European data space, which is a key element of the Digital Single Market strategy.
The framework will enable the free movement of data within the European Union (EU) for companies, public administrations and citizens in four key elements, said the Commission.
First, it supports the proper functioning of the internal market by ensuring the free movement of non-personal data within the bloc. Second, it ensures that competent authorities have access to data stored or processed in another member state in order to be able to perform their tasks in line with their regulatory mandate.
Third, it encourages the development of self-regulatory codes of conduct in order to make it easier to switch cloud service providers. Last, it establishes a single point of contact per member state to liaise with other member states' contact points and the Commission to ensure the effective application of the new rules on the free flow of non-personal data.
Removing data localisation restrictions is considered the most important factor for the data economy to unlock its full potential, and to grow up to 739 billion euros (885 billion U.S. dollars) in 2020, said the statement, while current data localisation restrictions by member states' public authorities and obstacles to the movement of data across IT systems prevent business and organisations in the EU from capturing economic, social and business opportunities.
Notably, the new framework for the free movement of non-personal data complements already existing legislation for personal data which will enter into application on May 25, 2018, which means a high level of protection for personal data will be ensured, said the Commission.
Besides, the framework only covers data mobility within the bloc and it primarily affects businesses and business users of data storage of other processing services, or individuals acting in professional capacity.
