FIATA and Global Shippers Forum Call for Stronger Data Protection in Digital Supply Chains

The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and the Global Shippers Forum (GSF) have jointly issued a charter calling for stronger data protection in digital supply chains. The charter sets out minimum standards for data security and confidentiality that providers and operators of digital booking and trading platforms should adopt.

The charter was developed in response to the growing use of digital technologies in international trade. The use of these technologies has the potential to improve efficiency and reduce costs, but it also raises new data protection challenges. The charter aims to address these challenges by providing a framework for ensuring the security and confidentiality of data in digital supply chains.

The charter includes provisions on data ownership, data security, data access, and data use. It also includes a dispute resolution mechanism. The charter is intended to be used by all stakeholders in the international trade and logistics sector, including freight forwarders, shippers, carriers, and government agencies.

FIATA and GSF believe that the charter will help to create a more secure and trustworthy environment for digital trade. They urge all stakeholders to adopt the charter and to work together to implement its provisions.

Here are some of the key provisions of the charter:

• Data ownership: The data controller is responsible for ensuring the security and confidentiality of the data.
• Data security: The data controller must take all reasonable steps to protect the data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.
• Data access: Data subjects have the right to access their personal data and to request that it be corrected or deleted.
• Data use: The data controller may only use the data for the purposes for which it was collected.
• Dispute resolution: Any disputes arising from the interpretation or application of the charter will be resolved through mediation or arbitration.

The charter is a valuable resource for all stakeholders in the international trade and logistics sector. It provides a framework for ensuring the security and confidentiality of data in digital supply chains. By adopting the charter, stakeholders can help to create a more secure and trustworthy environment for digital trade.

Here are some of the benefits of stronger data protection in digital supply chains:

• Increased efficiency: By reducing the risk of data breaches and other security incidents, stronger data protection can help to improve the efficiency of digital supply chains.
• Reduced costs: By reducing the need for manual data entry and processing, stronger data protection can help to reduce costs in digital supply chains.
• Improved compliance: By complying with data protection regulations, businesses can reduce the risk of fines and other penalties.
• Increased trust: By demonstrating a commitment to data protection, businesses can build trust with customers and partners.

Here are some of the challenges of implementing stronger data protection in digital supply chains:

• Cost: Implementing stronger data protection measures can be expensive.
• Complexity: Data protection laws and regulations can be complex and difficult to understand.
• Compliance: It can be difficult to comply with all of the requirements of data protection laws and regulations.
• Culture: A culture of data protection needs to be embedded in organizations in order to be successful.

Despite the challenges, the benefits of stronger data protection in digital supply chains are clear. By taking steps to protect data, businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs, increase compliance, and build trust.