Concurring Data Policy Cycles? Global Data Strategies Conference, University of Passau, 20 and 21 September 2021

Abstract

Global data law is on the rise, and the competitiveness of societies is at stake. Today, the competing approaches to data law around the world are still manifold. But is it likely that these approaches will be unified by a strategic turn towards a global data strategy? The first conference of the Global Data Law Conference Series of the University of Passau Research Centre of Law and Digitalisation (FREDI) turned to this question in September 2021. The ensuing discussions led by international experts highlighted the interplay between policymakers and private corporations in shaping data strategies and protecting as well as empowering data subjects. Different data protection levels worldwide were evaluated and factored against the data-driven competitive advantages of private corporations. The range of aspects spread from prospects of a global data governance architecture, the notion of data colonialism and the European digital single market to the Chinese digital silk road.