Hunton & Williams Releases ‘Business Without Borders,’ A Report on the Importance of Cross-Border Data Transfers to Global Prosperity

NEW YORK — May 16, 2014 — Hunton & Williams LLP, in coordination with the US Chamber of Commerce, recently issued “Business Without Borders: The Importance of Cross-Border Data Transfers to Global Prosperity,” a report which highlights the benefits of cross-border data transfers to businesses in the international marketplace. Lead Hunton coauthors are Lisa J. Sotto, head of the global privacy and cybersecurity practice, and Bridget Treacy, head of the UK privacy and cybersecurity practice.

“Many of the cross-border data transfer restrictions currently in place are anachronistic — they don’t address the ways in which data are being used today,” said Sotto. “The digital revolution compels us to rethink how we should approach cross-border data flows now and into the future so the global economy can continue to thrive.”

The report underscores the importance of developing data transfer mechanisms that protect privacy and facilitate the free-flow of data and also explores opportunities for new data transfer regimes. The paper also recommends movement away from rigid, one-size-fits-all regulations toward more outcome-focused frameworks. The report advocates implementing strong, binding trade agreement commitments that prohibit data localization requirements, support unimpeded data flows, and encourage interoperability among privacy regimes.

On May 20 and 21, Sotto will introduce the report at a two-day workshop in Jakarta, Indonesia, hosted by AmCham Indonesia and the US Chamber of Commerce, in coordination with local Indonesia associations. The event, titled “A Digital Trade and Cross-Border Data Flows Conference: Unleashing Indonesia’s Digital Economy and Innovation Sector,” will focus on digital trade and provide a platform for companies to discuss the policies necessary to ensure success in the Information Age. Sotto will address the degree to which today’s businesses rely on cross-border data flows and digital commerce.

Under Sotto’s leadership, the firm’s privacy and cybersecurity practice has been ranked as the top law firm globally for privacy and data security by Computerworld magazine in each of its four surveys, and rated by Chambers and Partners as the top privacy and data security practice in its Chambers Global and Chambers USA guides.

Named among The National Law Journal’s “100 Most Influential Lawyers” in 2013, Sotto also received the “No. 1 Privacy Expert” rating for the past three consecutive listings by Computerworld magazine; a “Star Individual” ranking (the highest honors) for Privacy and Data Security from Chambers and Partners; and recognition as a leading lawyer by The Legal 500 United States. She is the editor and lead author of the Privacy and Data Security Law Deskbook.