The Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) Forum will promote the interoperability of participating countries’ data rules and set up an international certification system for firms that move information between them. Other founding members include the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. (The Logic)

Talking point: Policy experts have warned of a “splinternet” of nationally-, regionally- or ideologically-specific digital rules, which would impact platforms that operate across separated jurisdictions the most. Canada’s ability to require organizations to store data within the country is already limited by the USMCA, and officials have said it’s required to offer those same terms to other trading partners. In April 2021, Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne told The Logic he’s in favour of the T12, a proposal from U.S. foreign policy experts and tech executives to bring together “techno-democracies” on issues including harmonizing data and privacy laws as well as regulation of emerging technologies. And the Biden administration is reportedly considering spearheading a new digital-trade bloc. The new Global CBPR Forum could represent a first step, focusing on one set of common issues. Thursday’s declaration leaves the door open to additional members.