Data Governance and the Digital Economy in Asia: Harmonising Cross-Border Data Flows

Data governance is the cornerstone of digital economy growth, particularly in Asia, where both the digital economy and the policy space are fast expanding. The chapters collected in this volume delve into how diverse and rapidly evolving data governance models of ASEAN countries and their Asian partners are shaping the regional digital economy integration, particularly through cross-border data flows. The book begins with an examination of the diffusion of data governance rules globally and their economic impacts on a macro level. It then delves into a regional analysis, emphasising the interplay between data governance and economic development. Key discussions include data policies in India, China, South Korea, and ASEAN countries, enriched with insights from industry leaders. The book evaluates the role of regional and international trade agreements in facilitating digital trade and explores the consequences of widely differing data governance models for the ASEAN regional economy, with a special focus on implications for ASEAN’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement. Written for scholars of digital economy, data governance, and digital trade, this book provides a thorough understanding of Asia’s data regulatory environment. Policymakers and industry professionals will also find the book’s insights into the intricacies of digital economy policies and their implications useful in navigating the future of digital economic integration and growth in the ASEAN region.