Cross-border data flows enabling massive collection of data worldwide are critical for a global digital economy.

Formal arrangements to enable free data flows include agreements established by the European Union, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA/Nafta).

These agreements may recognise a similar level of protection in specific countries or other agreements. However, our research shows that only a few countries in the Americas are party to formal arrangements enabling cross-border personal data transfers, or were formally recognised as offering a similar level of protection (see summary table). 

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