Transborder data flow debate

Abstract

<span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;mso-fareast-font-family:" times="" new="" roman";mso-ansi-language:="" en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa;font-style:normal;="" mso-bidi-font-style:italic"="" lang="EN-US">The paper attempts to provide an overview of the current debate on transborder data flow. It is divided into five sections. The first section provides the definition and basic concepts of transborder data flow. Traces the recent developments in computer and communication technologies and the emergence of computer communication networks. Describes the reasons and advantages in the international transmission of information. Lists out the broader issues currently under discussion in the transborder data flow debate. This is followed by discussion on the concern for these issues in different countries and how they perceive them in their national informatics policies in the next section. The next two sections describe the type and volume of data being transmitted and the various actors and participants involved in the transborder data flow debate. The final section discusses in detail the issues involved in the whole debate namely that of personal privacy; national sovereignty, independence and power and the social; cultural and economic issues arising as a result of international transmission of information.</span>