Global Development and the Digital Economy: Analytical Insights from The World Bank

Aligning Data Governance with the Social Contract for Data to Promote Value, Trust, and Equity

Analytical Insights | April 2022

In a world where data are becoming an integral part of our lives, data governance has become essential to support the production, use and reuse of data in a safe, ethical, and secure manner. In effect, data governance enforces the social contract around data, by applying the principles of trust, value, and equity. This primer provides an overview of the different elements of a data governance framework as discussed in the World Development Report 2021, Data for Better Lives. The implementation of the different elements of the framework will be specific to a country context, informed by local norms, laws, and culture. Using this framework, a series of briefs accompanying this primer, will explore and review the data governance landscape in different regions with a view to facilitating the region’s pathway to a green, resilient, and inclusive recovery. Some of the key overarching messages of this primer are as follows.

Key Findings:

• Equitable development of the data economy calls for a foundation of infrastructure to ensure that both poor people and poor countries have affordable access to data services.
• The legal and regulatory framework for data entails a balanced development of enablers that support reuse of data for value creations, and safeguards that create trust in the system.
• As more economic activities shift online, a country’s data governance choices will have important implications for the real economy, in terms of competition, trade and taxation.
• However, sound the legal and regulatory framework, data governance will not get very far without adequate institutions to implement and enforce the rules, and these are often missing.
• While data governance is primarily a national concern, there are many areas where international cooperation on data governance is critical and beneficial.
• Broad principles on data governance are helpful, but the realities on the ground differ substantially across regions necessitating more regionally grounded analysis and treatment.

Full Article: Aligning Data Governance with the Social Contract for Data to Promote Value, Trust, and Equity