Policy - Forced Localization
Forced Localization
Technological innovation has driven growth and revolutionized all economic sectors, creating unimagined goods and services and offering new opportunities for companies large and small. In response to the rapid and profound changes brought about by technology, some governments have implemented forced localization policies—essentially, policies that require part or all of companies’ business operations to take place within their borders—in an effort to promote economic growth, advance privacy and security, or protect local firms and industries. Such policies are misguided, however; they impose significant negative impacts on economies by increasing the costs of doing business, diverting trade and investment, distorting markets, undermining security, and discouraging innovation. ITI leads efforts to inform and engage governments around the world on the dangers of forced localization policies, while working with them to implement more effective options for achieving their public policy objectives.
Our Forced Localization Blog Series goes in depth to educate and address various forms of forced localization.
To see how ITI is engaging on forced localization issues around the globe, see ITI’s Country Strategy Briefs.
For an introduction to data flows and their importance to the global economy and society, see the ITI Decodes Data Flows Video
Resources
- Global Industry Recommended Priorities for the WTO E-Commerce Initiative (July 16, 2018)
- Global Industry Association Recommended Outcomes for G7 2017 (September 22, 2017)
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ITI Public Comments on Trade Violations and Abuses (August 01, 2017)
ITI's July 31, 2017, comments to the Trump Administration for its "Report to the President on Trade Agreement Violations and Abuses." ITI urged top trade officials to focus on technology-related trade ...
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ITI Comments on Trade Deficits May 2017 (May 12, 2017)
ITI's comments submitted on May 11, 2017, for the “Omnibus Report on Significant Trade Deficits” prompted by President Donald Trump signing an executive order in March, 2017, directing his administration ...
Techwonk Blog
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Ensuring Technology Serves as a Force for Good (March 06, 2019)
It’s easy to forget just how much technology has changed our world and our lives. A little more than a decade ago, a small business owner relied on foot traffic from local customers rather than web visits ...
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Tech’s Legislative Outlook for 2018: Building on 2017’s Momentum for Modernization (January 11, 2018)
The start of the 115th Congress and new administration not only marked an era of profound political change, but it also presented a unique and timely opportunity to modernize outdated policies. Lawmakers ...
News Releases
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ITI Hires Two to Grow Its Public Affairs Team (September 30, 2018)
WASHINGTON – ITI, the global voice of the tech sector, announced today that Jennie Westbrook Courts and Clare Sahin joined its public affairs team as vice president of external affairs and manager of state ...
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Tech Industry Supports International Data Access Bill (February 05, 2018)
WASHINGTON – Today, ITI, the global voice of the tech sector, applauded the introduction of the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act of 2018. This bipartisan bill seeks to incentivize bilateral ...
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Tech Sector Supportive of Outcome of Council Discussions on Free Flow of Data (December 20, 2017)
BRUSSELS – Today, ITI, the global voice of the tech sector, released the following statement regarding the Council decision to develop new rules to allow non-personal data to move freely and easily across ...
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Tech Sector Urges EU to Protect the Free Flow of Data (December 19, 2017)
BRUSSELS -- Today, ITI, the global voice of the tech sector, called on the European Commission to ensure it includes provisions in proposal for regulation concerning the free flow of non-personal data. ...
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ITI Hires Seasoned European Policy Expert to Expand EU Presence (October 02, 2017)
WASHINGTON – Today technology industry trade group ITI, the global voice of the tech sector, announced it is expanding its European engagement by hiring seasoned policy expert Guido Lobrano to launch its ...