Data Localisation
Data Localisation
Data Localisation
Data Localisation
1) Introduction
If the 20th century brought Internet as a decentralised space, the 21st century is marked by battles
over the control of data.
Data localisation or the collection, processing and storage of all data that originate within its own
national boundaries is gaining momentum in India.
3) Advantages
Data centre industries are expected to benefit due to the data localisation.
It is also likely to help IT and telecom infrastructure players grow.
This is an opportunity for Indian technology companies to evolve an outlook from services to
products.
International companies will also be looking at the Indian market, and this will benefit the growth
of the local ecosystem.
More data centres in India could mean new, power-hungry customers for India’s renewable energy
market. That means Data localisation could boost India’s renewable energy.
4) Potential
Countries with large populations are big markets and global companies are focusing of them.
Mining the data of citizens in these countries provides the extra edge for these companies to sell
their products and services and improve their businesses.
This is what makes data in these countries valuable.
Many global companies operating in India like Amazon, Google, Facebook, IBM, etc. have
announced building local data centres.
5) Importance of Data
Data has often been referred to as the new oil, an economic resource, which is fuelling the fourth
industrial revolution.
Consumer habits can be studied and policies can be framed which would then be in line with the
need of the hour.
Government needs data for better implementation of social programmes and statistics collection.
Cross-border data flows contributed $2.8 trillion to the global economy in 2014, which is expected
to touch $11 trillion by 2025.
Massive amounts of data generated by cities can be used to improve infrastructure and transport
systems as Singapore has done.
6) International Practice
Many countries have implemented or are in the process of implementing data localisation laws,
including — China, United States, Brazil, Indonesia and Russia.
Europe’s new data protection regime puts limits on cross-border data flows to countries that don’t
have data protection laws.
7) Concerns / Challenges
The possible rise in prices of foreign cloud computing services in case of a data localisation, and its
impact on MSMEs as well as start-ups relying on these services
The possibility of triggering a vicious cycle of data localisation requirements by other countries as a
response to India’s possible data localisation will be detrimental for the global data economy.
Growth will be restricted if data cannot be aggregated internationally.
Infrastructure in India for efficient data collection and management is lacking.
8) Way Forward
There is an urgent need to have an integrated, long-term strategy for policy creation for data
localisation.
Data localisation needs to integrate a wide range of social, political and economic perspectives.
Creating an opportunity for local data centres all over the country.
Devising an optimal regulatory and legislative framework for data processors and data centres
operating in the country.
Adequate infrastructure in terms of energy, real estate, and internet connectivity also needs to be
made available for India to become a global hub for data centres.
Adequate attention needs to be given to the interests of India’s Information Technology Enabled
Services (ITeS) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industries, which are thriving on cross-
border data flow.
Data needs to be shared with start-ups so that they can have a level playing field in offering
innovative services with large and often global data companies.