Data Law Trends Report outlines opportunities and challenges ahead

Global law firm Freshfields has published its 2025 Data Law Trends Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of the key trends likely to influence the data law landscape in the coming years. The report identifies eight critical themes posing significant challenges and presenting opportunities for businesses looking to leverage data and emerging technologies. 

As the complexity of data law increases, its implications for business strategy are becoming more significant. The trends Freshfields outlines are described not merely as regulatory shifts but as avenues for innovation that can help companies maintain a competitive edge. Key themes highlighted include:

• The rising importance of AI governance; 
• The challenges of navigating international data transfers; 
• The evolution of cyber threats; 
• The tightening of global regulations that influence digital operations;
• The impact of tougher data and privacy enforcement; 
• The expanding state consumer privacy laws in the US; 
• The maturation of privacy regulations in Asia; 
• The potential impacts of new EU data access regulations.

Christine Lyon, Giles Pratt, and Christoph Werkmeister, co-heads of Freshfields' data privacy and security practice, highlighted the importance of understanding these emerging trends, stating that data law has transitioned from a peripheral issue to a cornerstone of modern business strategy. They urged companies to view compliance not just as a necessity but as a means of gaining a competitive advantage in an increasingly data-driven environment.