Economies increasingly depend on data moving across borders as artificial intelligence and digital services expand — raising concerns over who controls access and how rights are protected. In the absence of trust, responses diverge, data becomes fragmented, limiting innovation, trade and economic growth.
Data free flow with trust (DFFT) is a concept coined in 2019 to embody the international policy drive to promote the use of data for economic and social prosperity, all while effectively managing the associated concerns and challenges. The concept of DFFT is incrasingly recognised internationally and is consistently referenced in global policy discussions.
Through its work on data governance and privacy, the OECD has long served as a knowledge partner for its Members, the G7 and G20 in advancing the DFFT policy agenda. The OECD DFFT Expert Community contributes to translating this concept into practical, evidence-based policy solutions.
