July 8, 2026 | Inquiry Consultation Opened | Data Governance

On 8 July 2026, the European Commission opened a targeted consultation on the challenges to data sovereignty and data flows for European Union organisations in an international context. The consultation affects actors in the data value chain across all sectors. It seeks views on barriers to accessing or using data in third countries, obstacles to transferring data to the European Union, and risks associated with third-country access to sensitive data. The inquiry aims to gather evidence on practical challenges, including unjustified data localisation requirements and discriminatory rules abroad. The consultation closes on 8 September 2026, and the results will help the European Commission assess whether further European Union action is needed.