Public consultation on Building a European data economy
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Data is an essential resource for economic growth, job creation and societal progress. Data analysis facilitates better decision-making, innovation and the prediction of future events. Europe aims to exploit this potential without infringing the rights and freedoms of people or damaging economic investments made into generating data. Within this context, the Commission aims to foster an efficient, competitive single market for data services including cloud-based ones. It needs to identify the legal, economic, and regulatory challenges, and to launch a discussion with stakeholders on future action.
The Commission adopted the “Building the European Data Economy” package consisting of a Communication and a Staff Working Document. These policy documents give an overview of issues at stake, and of the context of this consultation. Respondents are invited to read them prior to completing the questionnaire.
The public consultation will help shape the future policy agenda on the European data economy.
The consultation will collect information on:
- whether and how local or national data localisation restrictions inhibit the free flow of data in Europe
- whether and to what extent digital non-personal machine-generated data are traded and exchanged
- the nature and magnitude of any barriers to accessing such data
- ways of tackling those barriers
- emerging Internet of Things and robotics liability challenges
- practices and issues relating to data portability, interoperability and standards.
Consultation period
10 January 2017 – 26 April 2017
Replies received after the closing date will not be considered.