Washington — India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade solicited input on its draft national E-Commerce Framework. In comments ahead of the Friday deadline, the Computer & Communications Industry Association noted India’s ambitious goals to further develop a vibrant, competitive digital economy, but expressed concern that the draft policy proposes a number of policies that will have significant negative consequences for innovation in India. These policies include restrictions on cross-border data transfers, increased localization mandates, and data governance strategies that do not reflect global consensus.
Previously CCIA raised concerns with the development of this policy in our 2018 NTE submission to USTR. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“India is well situated to grow its digital economy, but it will need an overall strategy that is consistent with global norms on internet policy and e-commerce for it to succeed in positioning itself as a global technology leader. Unfortunately the current proposal contains measures that would limit India’s own digital economy by putting up barriers that would impact any company that seeks to do business internationally.”
India’s draft policy document is here.