The Real Tariff War Is Happening in Your Data Stack

Our Chief Data Officer, Carl Wier, brings over two decades of experience in data strategy, governance, and monetisation. In this piece, he shares his perspective on a sweeping new U.S. regulation that’s flown largely under the radar. While headlines have focused on tariffs and trade, the real disruption may be unfolding in the world of data. Carl breaks down what the DOJ’s latest move means for data monetisation companies, why it’s a pivotal moment for the industry, and what forward-thinking firms should be doing right now.

While the world has been absorbed by headlines on tariffs and their global economic impact, something arguably more transformative is quietly taking shape - this time, in the realm of data.

On 8 April 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) enacted a major regulation:

Preventing Access to U.S. Sensitive Personal Data and Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern or Covered Persons

While the name may not grab headlines, its implications certainly should. This policy fundamentally reshapes how U.S. data can be sold, shared, and monetised -particularly by companies whose businesses depend on high-volume personal data transactions.

As highlighted in Apple News, the regulation is not about trade in goods - it’s a defensive measure aimed at curbing foreign access to personal and government data. But its effect is a kind of “hidden tariff” on data, one that strikes at the core of the data monetisation industry.

What’s Covered and What’s Not

The DOJ rule prohibits the sale or transfer of specific categories of data to entities in “countries of concern” or to “covered persons”. These categories include:

• Biometric data on more than 1,000 U.S. individuals

• Precise geolocation data from over 1,000 devices

• Personal health or financial data from over 10,000 individuals

• Any data related to U.S. government personnel, regardless of volume

  
  

“Datasets that were once considered commercially routine may now fall under strict federal control.”

Low volume thresholds are the key surprise here. Just 100 individuals’ worth of certain types of data may qualify as “bulk” under the rule.

This isn’t a minor adjustment, it’s a structural change to how data can legally move across borders.

What This Means for Data Monetisation Companies

For businesses built around large-scale data aggregation and sales, this is a direct hit. The implications fall into four key buckets:

1. Restricted Access to Bulk Data

The commercial viability of selling large datasets has just narrowed considerably. The market for what was once a primary product is now significantly reduced.

2. Compliance Complexity

Compliance now requires:

• Thorough vetting of buyers and end-users

• Screening for “covered persons” and jurisdictions

• Careful classification of datasets and metadata

The cost of these efforts will be substantial - not to mention the interpretive work required to stay on the right side of an evolving regulatory framework.

3. Reputational and Legal Risk

Civil fines: up to $368,136 per violation or twice the value of the transaction

Criminal penalties: up to $1 million and 20 years in prison

With penalties assessed on a per-violation basis, exposure could be enormous for companies that haven’t retooled their compliance strategies.

4. Business Model Disruption

This regulation goes beyond operational inconvenience, it calls the entire business model of some data companies into question. The industry will now need to pivot towards privacy-focused, value-driven offerings.

So What’s Next?

This moment, while disruptive, offers the chance to evolve.

To stay relevant (and profitable), data companies need to reframe their offerings and re-engineer their operations. Here’s how:

Shift from Raw Data to Insight-Driven Services

Selling anonymised insights, analytics, or fraud detection will become more viable - and more attractive to clients facing their own compliance burdens.

Focus on Aggregated, Anonymised Data

Privacy-compliant datasets remain valuable - if properly anonymised. Investment in differential privacy and similar methods is now essential.

Build Compliance Into Your Product

Offer clients the tools they need: data screening, audit trails, access controls, and risk scoring solutions.

Target Non-Covered Data Segments

Demographic or operational data with no sensitive identifiers offers an opportunity to diversify into less regulated categories.

Champion Ethical and Transparent Practices

“In the age of scrutiny, ethics are not just good policy, they’re good business.”

Customers and regulators alike are looking for responsibility. That creates a strategic advantage for those who build trust into their processes.

Grow Legal and Regulatory Expertise

With policy moving faster than ever, legal insight must become a central function in data monetisation.

The Opportunity Beneath the Pressure

As pointed out by IAPP and Neudata, the new landscape isn’t all downside.

Yes, companies will need to hyper-segment data, assess risk proactively, and manage transactions at a new level of granularity. But that will create demand for:

• Data compliance services

• Privacy-first analytics

• Specialised legal and operational consulting

• Advanced anonymisation tools

The regulation is also likely to result in more - but smaller and more secure - transactions, further increasing the need for scalable, compliant infrastructure.

In Summary

“The DOJ isn’t just regulating data, it’s redefining the rules of digital trade.”

The days of freely buying and selling massive datasets with little oversight are behind us. This new model places national security, privacy, and control at the centre of data strategy.

The challenge is real. But so is the opportunity, for those willing to lead.

How We Help at Data Valuation Partners

At Data Valuation Partners, we work with data-rich organisations to navigate exactly these kinds of inflection points.

Whether you're adjusting your monetisation strategy, building out your compliance capability, or exploring privacy-first product lines, we’re here to help you align with policy while staying commercially strong.

Regulation is rising. But so are the companies that embrace it.