Initiative to Facilitate Data Flows in Asia Scores Big Wins

April 18, 2017
Michelle Sylvester-Jose is an International Trade Specialist at the International Trade Administration

The ability of U.S. businesses to transfer data across borders received a big boost last month as Singapore, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines communicated their plans to join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) system. The three economies join South Korea, which submitted its Intent to Participate earlier this year. With these new additions, the CBPR system will cover over a half billion Internet users.

Once implemented, companies across all sectors in the United States will be able to benefit from uninterrupted data flows in these markets, enabling them to sell more goods and services and support American jobs. As these economies take the next steps towards participation in the CBPR system, the Department of Commerce will continue its work to encourage additional APEC economies to join, expanding markets in the Asia-Pacific region where the CBPR system will be available for use by U.S. businesses.

Since APEC leaders first endorsed the CBPR system in 2011, Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Japan have joined the system. The APEC CBPR system was developed by the 21 APEC member economies in consultation with industry and civil society to build consumer, business and regulator trust in cross border flows of personal information. The APEC CBPR system requires participating businesses to develop and implement data privacy policies consistent with the APEC Privacy Framework. Participation in the CBPR system is voluntary, but once an organization joins and certifies to the principles, its commitments are legally enforceable. Beyond facilitating data transfers across borders, the CBPR system increases privacy protections to the benefit of consumers and provides companies with a mechanism to demonstrate strong privacy protections and a basis upon which to build a global compliance system.

For more information and updates on the Department of Commerce’s work on the APEC CBPR System, contact Michael Rose (Michael.Rose@trade.gov) or Andrew Flavin (Andrew.Flavin@trade.gov).