RCEP數據本土化的禁止性規範及其例外條款

On the Prohibition of Data Localization and Its Exception Provisions in the RCEP

通過區域性經貿協定禁止數據本土化，是解决當前WTO法律框架體系相關規範及判例缺位的重要途徑。建立在CPTPP框架基礎之上的RCEP第12章第14條第2款和第15條第2款原則上禁止締約國實行數據本土化，但也設置了排除禁止性規範適用的例外情形。數據本土化禁止性規範的例外條款是指“合法公共政策目的”條款、“平行”條款和“基本安全利益”條款。然而，當前並沒有任何一個國際協定準確界定前述例外條款的含義和釐定其適用範圍。WTO的相關判例主張，對它們含義的界定不能“一刀切”，而應該將其放置於締約國的國情和制度層面進行事實性的評價和判斷。“反歧視”規範和“反變相限制”規範構成的合法公共政策目的的“反規避性條款”，是防止“合法公共政策目的”條款被濫用的重要工具，對兩者的評價應該回歸到對相應具體措施目的的實質性分析，釐清其與“合法公共政策目的”是否存在實質性關聯、是否相悖。

It is a significant solution to solve the issues of lacking of relevant specific interpretations and case-law about the prohibition provisions on data localization in the legal frameworks of WTO by setting up the aforesaid prohibition provisions in the regional free trade agreements. The RCEP, of which Articles 14.2 and 15.2 in Chapter 12 stipulate the prohibition provisions of data localization, is in fact on the basic framework of the CPTPP. Meanwhile, some other provisions in Chapter 12 indirectly contain the prohibition of data localization, and some indirectly set up the exception of data localization. In fact, the provisions on legitimate public policy, horizontal provisions and essential security interest provision are the main exceptions of data localization. So far, not any trade agreement clearly defines their mean and scope, but the WTO case-law claims that it is impractical to define their concrete meaning on 'one size fits all'; they should instead be factually assessed from the aspects of the Parties' existing realities and its legal system. The anti-circumvention provisions, which include the anti-discrimination and anti-disguised restriction provisions, are quite more significant tools to prevent the abuse of the legal public policy. The WTO case-law claims that, it needs to assess the anti-discrimination and anti-disguised restriction through substantively analyzing the purpose of concrete measures of the data location, i. e., reviewing substantial relation between the aforesaid purpose and the legal public policy, or working in the opposite.