The chapter explores the concept of data portability in a data-driven world. In the first part, it maps out the journey data takes in a data economy and investigates the valuation and cost of data. It posits that, because of data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence models, “generated” data, as data that has been derived or inferred from “raw” data, is of higher value in the data market, and carries a higher cost of production. In the second part, building on this taxonomy, the requirements for the free flow of data in competitive data-centric markets are discussed: regulations on data tradability and portability. The analysis leads to doubt that the newly introduced and widely debated rules regarding portability of data under European Union law will adequately provide these prerequisites. The chapter concludes by suggesting an alternative model for data portability: rather than distinguishing between personal and non-personal data, the legal concept of data portability should be based on the allocation of value; that is, whether the value of data provides cost compensation to the service provider. Raw data should always be portable, while generated data may require a more refined regime depending on whether it is compensating costs.

Policymakers in the EU have debated whether the digital economy may benefit from the introduction of data ownership and data access rights. The chapter asks whether and how the concepts of data ownership and data access rights may serve the goal of establishing an adequate free flow of data in the digital single market.

It first maps the policy goals contained within the EU’s Digital Single Market Strategy and then analyzes how data ownership – understood as a property right – may serve the implementation of this strategy.

The conclusion is that data ownership is unlikely to further the establishment of an adequate free flow of data. Therefore, the chapter examines whether ownership, understood as control over personal data, is a viable alternative to the property rights approach.

As a final step, the question is examined if, and under what circumstances, access rights to data already exist, or should be introduced, to allow individuals and businesses to use both personal and non-personal data.