What does "cross-border data transfer" refer to?

The term "cross-border data transfer" specifically refers to the act of transferring personal data outside of the country where it was originally collected. This concept is crucial in the context of privacy compliance, as different countries have varying laws and regulations regarding data protection. When data is moved across national borders, it can be subject to the laws of both the originating and receiving countries, leading to potential legal complexities.

In the context of privacy compliance, businesses must ensure that they adhere to the legal requirements governing cross-border data transfers, such as ensuring adequate protection mechanisms are in place for the data once it leaves its home country. This may involve utilizing frameworks such as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or adhering to regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, which sets strict conditions on how data can be transferred outside EU member states.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the definition of cross-border data transfer. Sharing data between organizations in the same country refers to domestic data sharing, while collecting data from international sources and transferring data within the same region do not encapsulate the essence of moving data across national boundaries. Therefore, transferring personal data outside of the country of origin is the only option that correctly defines cross-border data transfer.