Data Strategy Briefing — G7 Elmau Commitments on Data Free Flow with Trust

G7 leaders meeting in Elmau on 28 June 2022 released an updated roadmap for Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT). The communiqué commits members to develop interoperable data spaces, advance common standards and governance for cross-border flows, and equip SMEs with tools to participate in trusted data ecosystems.

What changed

• The Elmau communiqué directed ministers to accelerate implementation of DFFT through interoperable technical standards and governance for data spaces.
• Leaders emphasized SME participation and digital trade enablement, calling for practical toolkits that lower compliance barriers.
• The roadmap links DFFT to democratic values, privacy, security, and resilience, setting expectations for safeguards alongside openness.

Why it matters

• Cross-border programs can reference the Elmau commitments when designing interoperability and accountability controls for data sharing.
• Vendors supporting data spaces should align metadata, identity, and consent capabilities with the G7 direction to remain procurement-ready.
• SME tooling expectations foreshadow requirements for simplified compliance kits and standardized assurance artifacts.

Action checklist

• Map existing data-transfer controls to DFFT principles and document how privacy/security safeguards enable trusted sharing.
• Engage with standards bodies (ISO/IEC, W3C, GAIA-X) to align product roadmaps with interoperability expectations.
• Develop SME-ready onboarding materials and templates that reduce the cost of participating in data-space pilots within G7 jurisdictions.

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