The internal market is based on the freedoms of movement of goods, services, persons and capital. These four freedoms were introduced in the Treaty of Rome some 60 years ago, long before the emergence of the digital economy. Today our societies are increasingly dependent on the processing and transfer of data. Almost all transactions involve the movement of data at some point and our economies are relying on a smooth and free flow of data.

At the same time, the EU legislator is taking actions that, in the name of privacy rights, curtail this flow. It is therefore legitimate to discuss whether the freedom of movement of data should be given stronger protection and even be upgraded as a fifth freedom.