How to Implement Data Portability: A Comparative Study of Policies in Major Countries

The emergence of data economy has sparked global discussions promoting data distribution and the growth of data-driven industries. One of the central topics in these discussions is the concept of “data portability,” which enables individuals to receive or transfer their data between different data controllers. This idea gained attention in the 2000s, driven by the increasing demand among internet users for greater control over their social media data [1]. Data portability was recognized as a strategic mechanism that could mitigate the monopolistic practices of a few dominant companies over data. As a result, many countries have established policies for implementing data portability to strengthen individuals’ control over their data and foster the growth of new data-driven businesses. This paper introduces an analytical framework with three key components for implementing data portability, aiming to gain a deeper understanding: (1) legal framework, (2) governance, and (3) interoperability. Using this framework, we conducted a comparative analysis of five major countries with notable achievements. Ultimately, our findings aim to provide implications for shaping effective national strategies in the era of data economy.