Transborder Data Flow is international communication. TBDF is the more widely used term. In this Perspective, the terms TBDF and international information transfer will be used interchangeably. Either term can be defined, somewhat elaborately, as the electronic transmission of personal or non-personal information across political boundaries for processing, or storing in computer files. More simply, TBDF is interna- tional movement of information over transnational computer-communi- cation systems. Transfer of information over transnational computer systems is the underlying concept. Proposed or actual restrictions on such transfers are the underlying problem. Interests advanced or re- strained by policies applicable to such transfers are the underlying importance.