FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing on Cross-Border Data Flow and U.S. Jobs

Original title: 21ST CENTURY TRADE BARRIERS: PROTECTIONIST CROSS BORDER DATA FLOW POLICIES IMPACT ON U.S. JOBS

January 1, 2018

international trade data privacy digital economy employment technology policy

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing explored the economic consequences of international laws, which require companies to store data within specific countries, potentially increasing costs and operational burdens for U.S.-based technology firms.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

U.S. Technology Companies

These companies face potential operational changes and increased compliance costs due to international data localization requirements.

American Workers

The hearing investigated the link between international trade policies and the availability of jobs within the U.S. technology sector.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2018.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection held a hearing on October 12, 2017, to examine how international policies that restrict the movement of data across borders affect American jobs and the digital economy. Industry experts and legal scholars provided testimony on the impact of these trade barriers on U.S. businesses.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on October 12, 2017, in the Rayburn House Office Building.
The primary focus was the impact of 'protectionist' data policies on U.S. employment.
Witnesses included representatives from BSA—The Software Alliance, the Information Technology Industry Council, the American University Washington College of Law, and ACT—The App Association.
The hearing addressed the rise of cross-border data flow restrictions as a 21st-century trade barrier.
The subcommittee received written statements from the Insights Association and the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cross-border data flow barrier?

It refers to government policies that restrict or regulate the movement of digital information across national borders, often requiring data to be stored locally within a country.

Why is this relevant to U.S. jobs?

The hearing examined the argument that such barriers increase costs for U.S. companies, potentially limiting their ability to compete globally and impacting domestic employment in the technology sector.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Digital Trade Barriers

The hearing highlights a shift in congressional focus toward digital trade barriers as a primary concern for U.S. economic policy in the 115th Congress.

Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection

Connected Entities

organizationSubcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection“Congressional body conducting the hearing”Map →

personRobert E. Latta“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection”Map →

personVictoria A. Espinel“CEO of BSA—The Software Alliance”Map →

personJanice D. Schakowsky“Ranking Member of the Subcommittee”Map →

personJennifer Daskal“Associate Professor of Law at American University”Map →

personMorgan Reed“President of ACT—The App Association”Map →

personDean C. Garfield“CEO of Information Technology Industry Council”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance60
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level

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