National Data Administration key to data security and development

The recent inauguration of the National Data Administration marks the official implementation of the decision made by China's top authorities to set up a state organ that is responsible for coordinating the integration, sharing, development and application of data resources, in the country's institutional reshuffling program unveiled in March.

The NDA is empowered to formulate regulations and policies for the digital economy, and enact laws on data security, data governance, and data sharing and opening, to provide legal protection for the operation and development of the digital economy. It will also promote international cooperation on digital factor governance and digital economy development, and advance the construction of standard systems in data governance, data exchange and cross-border data flow.

It is also in charge of data quality management. Through top-level design and institutional supply, it can improve the efficiency of data resource utilization, reduce information costs, release data dividends and play an important role in data enabling high-quality economic development.

At the macro level, it will help China improve systematic data governance, break the "isolated islands" of information, and promote data openness and sharing. At the micro level, it can support enterprises to use all kinds of data for product and service innovation, and encourage individuals to process data in accordance with laws and participate in the data economy to gain the benefits of data elements.

To make better use of data resources, the country should next look at national data from an overall perspective and formulate long-term strategies and legislation to lay a solid foundation for future data development.

First, a comprehensive and forward-looking strategic plan should be outlined to guide data development in the next five years, which should clarify the importance and value of data resources, draw a road map and roll out specific measures to achieve the goals of digital China, digital economy, and digital society. Second, on the basis of relevant laws and regulations such as the Personal Privacy Protection Law, it is necessary to formulate the Big Data Law to confirm the basic principles and systems of data governance, and regulate data collection, storage, processing, sharing, opening and application, to ensure personal privacy protection and national security. Third, practical measures should be taken to set up a fair, just and transparent data market order, and promote the innovation and development of the data industry by cultivating new models, formats, and applications, to improve the core competitiveness of the data industry.

21ST CENTURY BUSINESS HERALD