Rapid technological developments in the field of information, computers and communications are leading to significant structural changes in the economies of Member countries. Flows of computerised data and information are an important consequence of technological advances and are playing an increasing role in national economies. With the growing economic interdependence of Member countries, these flows acquire an international dimension, known as Transborder Data Flows. It is therefore appropriate for the OECD to pay attention to policy issues connected with these transborder data flows. This Declaration was adopted by the Governments of OECD Member countries on 11th April 1985.

This book focuses on the international politics of transborder data flows. It examines the rise of data services and the impact of these services on international economic transactions. The book looks at trade and foreign direct investment in services and reviews the policy position of the U.S.

The OECD Guidelines on the Protection of Privacy and Transborder Flows of Personal Data, adopted on 23 September 1980, continue to represent international consensus on general guidance concerning the collection and management of personal information. By setting out core principles, the Guidelines play a major role in assisting governments, business and consumer representatives in their efforts to protect privacy and personal data, and in obviating unnecessary restrictions to transborder data flows, both on and off line. The reflection of twenty-one years of expertise and experience shared among representatives of OECD governments, business and industry, and civil society, this publication contains the instruments that serve as the foundation for privacy protection at the global level: the 1980 OECD Privacy Guidelines, the 1985 Declaration on Transborder Data Flows and the 1998 Ministerial Declaration on the Protection of Privacy on Global Networks.