Authors: Research Scholar Aman Malik
Abstract: The proliferation of cloud computing has revolutionized data storage, access, and management, but it has also introduced complex challenges concerning cross-border data flow and legal jurisdiction. As data transcends national borders, existing legal frameworks struggle to keep pace with the decentralized nature of cloud services. This paper examines the legal, technological, and regulatory implications of cross-border data flows within cloud infrastructures, emphasizing the tension between data sovereignty and global commerce. The study explores how different jurisdictions—particularly the European Union with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the United States with its sectoral approach, and emerging frameworks in Asia—address data localization, transfer mechanisms, and enforcement of jurisdiction. Through a comparative legal analysis, the paper highlights gaps, overlaps, and potential conflicts in international data regulation. It concludes with recommendations for harmonized legal standards, multilateral cooperation, and technologically adaptive policies to ensure secure, compliant, and innovation-friendly data ecosystems.
