Earlier quoted context omitted.
> The US definitely needs stronger laws here. Can someone clarify for me why the physical location where data is stored is a big deal? Why does the US need stronger laws here? This is probably just my inner naive technologist speaking, but I really enjoyed the moment of time during which the internet was a global network of computers that created a virtual space where physical borders were largely irrelevant. So it's…
> Can someone clarify for me why the physical location where data is stored is a big deal? What can you do if your data is silently copied by third parties and used for other activities? What if I build a ghost profile of you and steal your identity when I have enough data? What if I relay that you have a fancy car to some people who have the means to get that from you while sleeping? What if I craft a good scam by t…
Right, but the EU can only enforce its laws on companies that have a presence in the EU. A company that doesn't do business in the EU and never will do business in the EU will not obey EU law regardless of what those laws say.
Meanwhile, a company that does business in the EU would be subject to fines by the EU and wouldn't be able to dodge them without just stopping doing business in the EU. So why do the laws not just say "here's how you have to treat data belonging to our citizens if you want to continue to do business in the EU"? Why does the physical location of the data that is being thus protected matter at all?