From the report’s Introduction:
The digital world is awash in personal data….Companies and governments are using this ocean of Big Data to unleash powerful analytic capabilities. They are connecting data from different sources, finding patterns and generating new insights – all of which adds to the ever deepening pool of data….As an emerging asset class, personal data currently lacks the rules, norms and frameworks that exist for other assets. The lack of trading rules and policy frameworks for its movement have resulted in a deficit of trust among all stakeholders and could undermine the long-term potential value of personal data. Different jurisdictions are looking to tackle this deficit of trust through different approaches, ranging from fundamental rights-based approaches to harm-minimization approaches.
You can read the full report here (PDF).