Recent years have witnessed a surge in discussions relating to data and data flow in trade fora. This was predictable given the importance of data for trade in the digital economy, especially e-commerce. However, there is a major discord between WTO members on issues relating to data flows and data localization. This article sets out to understand how data flows across borders and the types of trade restrictive data localization measures members use. The analysis of various restrictions on data flows imposed by states reflects the different objectives behind them, targeting all or specific types of data. Such regulations potentially violate existing WTO commitments. The article concludes with a call for issuing a multilateral amendment of existing norms, and undertaking a data differentiated approach to resolve the deadlock at the WTO.

中文翻译：

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理解世贸组织在国际数据流中的作用：走自由化还是监管自主之路？

近年来，贸易论坛中有关数据和数据流的讨论激增。鉴于数据对数字经济，尤其是电子商务中的贸易的重要性，这是可以预见的。然而，世贸组织成员之间在与数据流和数据本地化相关的问题上存在重大分歧。本文旨在了解数据如何跨境流动以及成员使用的贸易限制性数据本地化措施的类型。对各国对数据流施加的各种限制的分析反映了其背后的不同目标，针对所有或特定类型的数据。此类法规可能违反现有的 WTO 承诺。文章最后呼吁对现有规范进行多边修订，并采取数据差异化的方法来解决世贸组织的僵局。