El Comercio Digital y La Gobernanza Mundial de Datos Trazando nuevas vías en el derecho económico internacional

This research paper by Neha Mishra examines the intersection of international trade law and global data governance, arguing for a balanced approach to cross-border data flows that reconciles commercial goals with privacy, security, and equity. The author proposes a multi-layered framework to bridge the gap between trade rules and data governance, emphasizing the need for digital inclusion for developing nations and the move away from polarized narratives of 'free flow' versus 'data sovereignty'.

• The current discourse on data regulation is hindered by polarized and counterproductive narratives, specifically the conflict between the 'free flow of data' and 'data sovereignty'. While Japan's 2019 'Data Free Flow with Trust' (DFFT) initiative attempts to create flexible frameworks for data flow, digital sovereignty remains a common narrative that can either protect digital rights or serve as a tool for 'digital authoritarianism'.
• International trade law often struggles to provide clear answers for complex data governance issues. While data restrictive measures (such as data localization or cybersecurity-based service bans) may violate non-discrimination or market access obligations, governments frequently use general and security exceptions to justify them. However, relying too heavily on these exceptions can lead to 'tit-for-tat' protectionist measures that undermine digital trust.
• There is a significant 'data gap' between developed and developing countries, characterized by poor data infrastructure, limited data commercialization prospects, and weak regulatory frameworks. This is often attributed to 'data colonialism' driven by the dominance of a few tech giants from digital powers like the United States and China, leaving developing nations in a cycle of digital dependence and regulatory incapacity.
• Existing international trade rules, including WTO disciplines and Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs), have been ineffective in reducing the global data gap. Special and differential treatment in WTO law is described as vague and ineffective, and while some DEAs include 'soft' provisions on digital inclusion, they lack binding mechanisms for technical support or regulatory assistance for developing partners.
• The disproportionate data advantage held by tech monopolies creates network scale economies that stifle new market entrants and enable mass user surveillance. Current international trade law is poorly equipped to handle this, as WTO disciplines (such as those for telecommunications) are outdated for the modern digital economy, and most plurilateral agreements only contain high-level competition disciplines rather than sector-specific digital rules.
• To align international trade law with global data governance, the author proposes a 'multi-layered approach'. This would combine binding treaty provisions (in DEAs and plurilateral agreements) with soft law, transnational standards, and flexible cooperation mechanisms. Practical steps include systematic notification of data restrictive measures, transparency obligations, and the use of regulatory interoperability and mutual recognition mechanisms.

APA

Mishra, N. (2024). El Comercio Digital y La Gobernanza Mundial de Datos Trazando nuevas vías en el derecho económico internacional. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/es/articles/policy-analysis/global-data-governance

Chicago

Mishra, Neha. El Comercio Digital y La Gobernanza Mundial de Datos Trazando nuevas vías en el derecho económico internacional. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2024. https://www.iisd.org/es/articles/policy-analysis/global-data-governance.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mishra |first1=Neha |title=El Comercio Digital y La Gobernanza Mundial de Datos Trazando nuevas vías en el derecho económico internacional |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=October 2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/es/articles/policy-analysis/global-data-governance |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mishra2024comercio, author = {Mishra, Neha}, title = {{El Comercio Digital y La Gobernanza Mundial de Datos Trazando nuevas vías en el derecho económico internacional}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, month = oct, url = {https://www.iisd.org/es/articles/policy-analysis/global-data-governance}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }