Data Barriers Research Project

Project Overview

This research project stems from my PhD thesis "Data Barriers to International Trade" and examines how regulatory measures restricting cross-border data flows impact international trade in the digital economy.

The project is currently being expanded into a book and involves the development of two datasets that document data barriers at both national and international levels.

The DATBA Project: Two-Dataset Approach

1. DATBA dataset (In Development)

The Data Barriers Dataset (DATBA) will systematically catalog national regulations that create barriers to cross-border data flows. This dataset focuses on:

• Aggregation data barriers: Regulatory measures that aim at collecting/localising data cross-sector or in specific sectors (finance, healthcare, telecommunications)
• Data encryption barriers: Regulations targeting encryption standards to facilitate government access to data through lower encryption requirements
• Data routing barriers: Infrastructure regulation, telecommunications controls, and blocking measures that restrict data pathways and routing

This dataset is currently in development and will complement the international-level analysis.

2. DATBA-FTA dataset (available now in early version)

The Data Barriers in Free Trade Agreements (DATBA-FTA) dataset analyses how international trade agreements address data barriers through digital trade provisions. This dataset examines provisions that either:

• Prohibit or restrict data barriers (e.g., bans on data localisation)
• Facilitate cross-border data flows (e.g., free flow commitments)
• Create exceptions for legitimate policy objectives
• Establish frameworks for digital trade governance

What this website offers

This Observable Framework application provides interactive access to the DATBA-FTA dataset through three main analytical interfaces:

🌏 Interactive Dashboard

• Global trade visualisation with an interactive 3D globe showing FTA relationships
• Data center infrastructure mapping overlaid with trade agreement networks
• Timeline analysis tracking the evolution of digital trade provisions from 2001-2024
• Country participation stats across 36+ jurisdictions with filtering capabilities
• Provision frequency analysis showing distribution of different digital trade barrier types

🌳 Data Tree

• Hierarchical visualisation of the complete dataset structure using radial clustering
• Agreement categorisation by region, bilateral/multilateral status, and entry into force dates
• Interactive exploration allowing users to drill down from regions to specific agreements
• Visual pattern recognition of how digital provisions cluster across different trade relationships

🔎 Provisions Explorer

• Provision database with full searchable text of digital trade clauses
• Advanced filtering system by agreement type, country, provision category, and keywords
• Detailed provision analysis including categorisation by data barrier type and policy objective
• Text visualisation tools showing provision frequency and language patterns across agreements

Understanding Data Barriers

Data barriers are regulatory measures that restrict, impede, or condition the cross-border flow of data. Based on the PhD research, these barriers manifest in various forms:

Typology of Data Barriers

• Mandatory data localisation: Requirements to store data within national borders
• Conditional data localisation: Localisation requirements with exceptions or conditions
• Cross-border transfer restrictions: Prohibitions or limitations on data exports
• Administrative barriers: Licensing, registration, or approval requirements
• Technical standards: Infrastructure or technical requirements that limit data flows
• Sectoral restrictions: Industry-specific limitations (financial, health, telecommunications)

Economic and Policy Implications

• Trade costs: Increased compliance and infrastructure costs for businesses
• Market fragmentation: Creation of digital borders that segment global markets
• Innovation impact: Reduced access to global digital services and cloud computing
• Regulatory sovereignty: Tension between national policy autonomy and trade liberalisation
• Development effects: Differential impacts on developed vs. developing economies

Research Applications and Impact

This research supports:

• Academic scholarship on digital trade law and policy
• Policy development for trade negotiators and digital governance frameworks
• Business strategy for multinational corporations navigating data regulations
• Legal practice in international trade and technology law
• Development policy understanding digital divides and regulatory capacity

Methodology and Verification

The DATBA-FTA dataset employs:

• Primary source analysis of trade agreement texts
• Systematic legal coding of digital trade provisions
• Cross-verification with the TAPED dataset (University of Lucerne)
• Review and interpretation
• Regular updates as new agreements enter into force

Future Development

The project continues to evolve with:

• Completion of the DATBA national dataset documenting domestic regulations
• Book publication expanding the theoretical and empirical analysis
• Ongoing updates to the DATBA-FTA dataset as new agreements are negotiated

This website provides access to the DATBA-FTA dataset as part of ongoing research into data barriers and their impact on international trade in the digital economy. This is an early version of the dataset, it still requires further review and validation, and is subject to change as new data becomes available.