Global Statement on Trade and Data Protection

In relation to the negotiations on electronic commerce that are being carried out at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Since January 2019, more than 80 WTO countries have been negotiating a new regulation for digital trade. This process is called the Joint Statement Initiative on electronic commerce, its objective is to define global rules to make it easier for consumers and businesses to trade online. 

Cross-border data flows are one of the key provisions in these negotiations. It is essential to consider the broad implications of all the provisions in this regulation, that as a result could undermine the exercise of human rights, such as the right to privacy and data protection.

For this reason, the Asociación por los Derechos Civiles (ADC), as a member of the Digital Commerce Alliance, supports and promotes the Global Declaration on Trade and Data Protection. 

This joint declaration –signed by 42 consumer and digital rights organizations– is addressed to all the countries involved in the negotiations on electronic commerce that are being carried out at the WTO, urging them to put people at the center of the agreement and preserve the privacy and data protection rights of individuals.